Towards the end of last year, an unprecedented slowdown in felling licence approvals, in combination with underperforming afforestation returns, placed a question mark on achieving a viable forestry programme.
Last week, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Andrew Doyle outlined his views on how these issues can be addressed, especially meeting appropriate assessment, which he pointed out is a site-specific analysis required under the EU Habitats Directive.
“It must be completed where a project is likely to have a significant effect on a Natura site and finalised before a decision on applications can be issued,” he explained.
Donal Magner: What was the driver behind changing forestry licence assessment procedures?
Minister Doyle: Recent interpretations of the Habitats Directives and case law from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) andthe High Court as well as decisions from the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC), have required the Department to introduce a new appropriate assessment procedure (AAP) for forestry licensing.
What has caused the delays in issuing decisions on forestry licence applications?
The Department has been making the necessary changes that were required to AAP, which are very significant, but unavoidable. It’s essential, of course, that licences granted are robust and meet all the necessary environmental and other regulations.
My department received some 6,000 applications for afforestation, forest roads and tree felling in 2019, which gives an idea of the scale of the undertaking.
How many licences were issued in 2019?
2019 was a record year for processing tree felling licences. with over 4,100 licences issued, which was up by 16% on 2018. There have, however, been delays in the second half of last year, but my department has been working to continue to issue licences, albeit at a slower rate than any of us would like. I know that 2019 has been a difficult year for the sector overall, as the market has not been as strong as previous years. This is affecting the usage of previously-issued licences, as people may be holding on to them pending an uplift in market prices.
I know that 2019 has been a difficult year for the sector overall, as the market has not been as strong as previous years
Can you provide a breakdown of this data in area and felling type, as well as differentiating between Coillte and the private sector?
The department issued 2,974 licences for Coillte and 1,046 for the private sector, covering an area of over 44,000ha for Coillte and over 13,000ha for private forest owners. [Further details in Table 1]
What about afforestation, which as you know, is only at half the Government target?
Clearly, more effort is needed if afforestation targets are to be reached. Afforestation, licences were issued for almost 7,500ha in 2019. Interestingly, since January 2018, some 4,000ha of afforestation has a valid licence and may be planted but hasn’t yet. Afforestation licences were valid for three years. I would encourage anybody with a valid licence to seriously consider the benefits of planting this year.
Are you aware of the real difficulties this is having on the sector?
I am very aware and have met and discussed with the sector at all levels. I acknowledge that the current situation is extremely challenging for some companies and contractors and I want to reassure everybody that we are doing everything possible to resolve this.
I think the sector also needs to reflect on how different links in the chain can assist each other to help ensure that everybody gets through these difficulties. This is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.
But what is your Department actually doing to alleviate the difficulties?
In addition to a robust and workable AAP, additional staff and support resources have been deployed as follows:
First, new forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff have been assigned to licensing. Further forestry inspectors will be recruited in early 2020. Second, additional ecologists are joining the DAFM ecology team in the new year. Third, the Department has contracted in external ecological expertise. This will be complemented by a multi-annual tender to outsource ecological expertise which will be published shortly. I acknowledge that the current situation is extremely challenging for some companies and contractors and I want to reassure everybody that we are doing everything possible to resolve this
What is the current status of the Mackinnon review, which has been welcomed by the sector?
I commissioned a review of the department’s licensing processes and procedures last year, which was carried out by external consultant James Mackinnon. I published this in November so it’s available for any interested person to review.
Stakeholders made substantial contributions to this review and I would like to thank them for their time and input.
The Forestry Programme Implementation Group, which I chair, is meeting with James Mackinnon this week, for a presentation on his recommendations. Following this meeting, an implementation plan which is being developed, will be published.
What are the Government’s commitments towards forestry?
This Government is fully committed to the development of a sustainable and viable forestry sector in Ireland and we have invested some €600m through the current National Forestry Programme. Furthermore, the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2030 enshrines the importance of the forestry sector to the achievement of our national targets, not least in the stated aim of planting an average of 8,000ha of new afforestation.
What about implementation?
We are committed to its full implementation. Successive forestry programmes since 1990 have resulted in considerable volumes of timber to be harvested over the next 15 years and it is essential that the licensing system regulating this harvest is fit for purpose.
Our current reform of the licensing system is ultimately about ensuring that it’s fit for purpose, so that forestry can realise its potential.
I’m committed to working with all stakeholders with views on this to ensure that we get it right.
Towards the end of last year, an unprecedented slowdown in felling licence approvals, in combination with underperforming afforestation returns, placed a question mark on achieving a viable forestry programme.
Last week, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Andrew Doyle outlined his views on how these issues can be addressed, especially meeting appropriate assessment, which he pointed out is a site-specific analysis required under the EU Habitats Directive.
“It must be completed where a project is likely to have a significant effect on a Natura site and finalised before a decision on applications can be issued,” he explained.
Donal Magner: What was the driver behind changing forestry licence assessment procedures?
Minister Doyle: Recent interpretations of the Habitats Directives and case law from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) andthe High Court as well as decisions from the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC), have required the Department to introduce a new appropriate assessment procedure (AAP) for forestry licensing.
What has caused the delays in issuing decisions on forestry licence applications?
The Department has been making the necessary changes that were required to AAP, which are very significant, but unavoidable. It’s essential, of course, that licences granted are robust and meet all the necessary environmental and other regulations.
My department received some 6,000 applications for afforestation, forest roads and tree felling in 2019, which gives an idea of the scale of the undertaking.
How many licences were issued in 2019?
2019 was a record year for processing tree felling licences. with over 4,100 licences issued, which was up by 16% on 2018. There have, however, been delays in the second half of last year, but my department has been working to continue to issue licences, albeit at a slower rate than any of us would like. I know that 2019 has been a difficult year for the sector overall, as the market has not been as strong as previous years. This is affecting the usage of previously-issued licences, as people may be holding on to them pending an uplift in market prices.
I know that 2019 has been a difficult year for the sector overall, as the market has not been as strong as previous years
Can you provide a breakdown of this data in area and felling type, as well as differentiating between Coillte and the private sector?
The department issued 2,974 licences for Coillte and 1,046 for the private sector, covering an area of over 44,000ha for Coillte and over 13,000ha for private forest owners. [Further details in Table 1]
What about afforestation, which as you know, is only at half the Government target?
Clearly, more effort is needed if afforestation targets are to be reached. Afforestation, licences were issued for almost 7,500ha in 2019. Interestingly, since January 2018, some 4,000ha of afforestation has a valid licence and may be planted but hasn’t yet. Afforestation licences were valid for three years. I would encourage anybody with a valid licence to seriously consider the benefits of planting this year.
Are you aware of the real difficulties this is having on the sector?
I am very aware and have met and discussed with the sector at all levels. I acknowledge that the current situation is extremely challenging for some companies and contractors and I want to reassure everybody that we are doing everything possible to resolve this.
I think the sector also needs to reflect on how different links in the chain can assist each other to help ensure that everybody gets through these difficulties. This is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.
But what is your Department actually doing to alleviate the difficulties?
In addition to a robust and workable AAP, additional staff and support resources have been deployed as follows:
First, new forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff have been assigned to licensing. Further forestry inspectors will be recruited in early 2020. Second, additional ecologists are joining the DAFM ecology team in the new year. Third, the Department has contracted in external ecological expertise. This will be complemented by a multi-annual tender to outsource ecological expertise which will be published shortly. I acknowledge that the current situation is extremely challenging for some companies and contractors and I want to reassure everybody that we are doing everything possible to resolve this
What is the current status of the Mackinnon review, which has been welcomed by the sector?
I commissioned a review of the department’s licensing processes and procedures last year, which was carried out by external consultant James Mackinnon. I published this in November so it’s available for any interested person to review.
Stakeholders made substantial contributions to this review and I would like to thank them for their time and input.
The Forestry Programme Implementation Group, which I chair, is meeting with James Mackinnon this week, for a presentation on his recommendations. Following this meeting, an implementation plan which is being developed, will be published.
What are the Government’s commitments towards forestry?
This Government is fully committed to the development of a sustainable and viable forestry sector in Ireland and we have invested some €600m through the current National Forestry Programme. Furthermore, the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2030 enshrines the importance of the forestry sector to the achievement of our national targets, not least in the stated aim of planting an average of 8,000ha of new afforestation.
What about implementation?
We are committed to its full implementation. Successive forestry programmes since 1990 have resulted in considerable volumes of timber to be harvested over the next 15 years and it is essential that the licensing system regulating this harvest is fit for purpose.
Our current reform of the licensing system is ultimately about ensuring that it’s fit for purpose, so that forestry can realise its potential.
I’m committed to working with all stakeholders with views on this to ensure that we get it right.
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