The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has been busy this year, issuing a total of 147 private felling licences and 59 Coillte felling licences.
In the most recent week leading up to March 7, DAFM granted 12 private felling licences and 12 Coillte felling licences, covering a combined area of 207ha.
Of these licences, two were for thinning and 22 for clear fell operations.
The aftermath of a recent storm has left the forestry sector reeling, with an estimated 24,000ha of trees blown down. This has prompted concerns from the Social, Economic, and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA).
The damage is evenly split between public and private forests, with approximately 10 million cubic metres of timber affected, particularly in spruce plantations over 20 years old.
SEEFA highlighted the impact of the storms on an already severe backlog, putting the country more than three years behind on its forestry targets. The association emphasized the need for urgent action to meet environmental, economic, and moral obligations to reforest Ireland.
Last week was described by SEEFA as the “second worst week of the year” for afforestation licencing. Only three licences were issued, covering 36ha, which represents just 24% of the weekly average target.
Ireland’s Forest Strategy 2023-2030 aims for an annual afforestation target of 8,000ha. So far this year, DAFM has issued 99 afforestation licences, covering 701ha of forestry.
Additionally, 332ha of forestry has been planted, with 77 valid afforestation licences submitted in 2025.
In terms of specific schemes, only one licence has been issued under the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme this year, covering 5ha.
Under the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, DAFM issued 63 licences, relating to 201ha.
Furthermore, 15 licences were granted under the Deer Tree Shelter scheme (DTS) for 94ha, and 13 licences were issued under the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) for 78ha.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenges facing the forestry sector in Ireland, particularly in the wake of recent storms and the subsequent impact on tree populations.
Efforts to address the backlog in afforestation licencing and the need for sustainable forestry practices are crucial to meeting environmental objectives and ensuring the long-term health of Ireland’s forests.
The forestry sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy and environment, and proactive measures are needed to address the current issues and move towards a more sustainable future.
