IFA criticises restrictions imposed on forestry reconstitution scheme

THE timing of the restructuring of a key forestry scheme could not come at a worse time for farmers who are beginning to thin forests and produce timber for wood energy markets, according to the IFA.

IFA Farm Forestry chairman, Pat Hennessy, said the Forest Service announcement that the reconstitution scheme is to be restricted after the June 1, 2009, so that fire and wind damage is no longer covered by the scheme, is a major worry for 16,500 farmers who have invested over 170,000 hectares of land in forestry.

“Forests are at the greatest risk of windblow following thinning operations. The removal of the replanting cover may persuade farmers to adopt a no thin policy in the forest, significantly reducing the volume of available timber for the wood energy market,” said Mr Hennessy.