Forestry farmers granted approval for 1,500 hectares of planting

FORESTRY farmers have received approval for 1,500 hectares of new forestry planting for the current autumn planting season.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Seán Connick said: “We will immediately commence issuing financial approvals, for a further 1,500 hectares of new forestry planting, for the current autumn planting season. I am pleased to announce this in view of the very encouraging planting levels to date this year.”

The minister made the announcement during the recent presentation of the 2010 RDS/Forest Service Irish Forestry Awards function in Russbourough House, Co Wicklow.

The winner of the Farm Forestry category in 2010 was Anne O’Reilly, Belturbet, Co Cavan. Aleck Tong, Edenderry, Co Offaly, was second.

Declan and Yvonne Foley, Beltra, Co Sligo, won the Bio-diverse Forest/Woodland category; with Michael Kim McCall, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, second.

The Special Judges’ Award went to Martin Murphy, Cahermurphy, Kilmihill, Co Clare, in recognition of his willingness to pass on his expertise and encouragement of other growers and potential growers.

The judges also gave special recognition to the best provincial entrants: Victor Dunne of Gorey, Co Wexford in Leinster; Matt Fogarty of Nenagh, Co Tipperary in Munster; Joseph Tracey of Claudy, Co Derry in Ulster; and Michael Boyle of Foxford, Co Mayo, in Connacht.