Irish forestry to get makeover

THE role and structure of the Irish Forest Industry Chain (IFIC) is to be reviewed.

Each member organisation will be consulted as part of the exercise Coillte’s planning, research and environment director George McCarthy is IFIC’s new chairman while Joe O’Carroll, operations manager with COFORD, the national council for forest research and development, is vice chairman.

Mr McCarthy said the last few months have seen dramatic changes to the operating environment in which forestry companies and organisations function.

IFIC, which is affiliated to IBEC, continues to represent the principal players of the forestry supply chain in Ireland. “IFIC, as the umbrella organisation for the forest industry, will champion the vital role that the forest sector plays in enhancing Ireland’s economy and environment,” he said.

The IFIC review, which is to be completed in two months, will be undertaken by Joe O’Carroll, who has specific responsibility in COFORD for corporate and strategic planning.

He has responsibility also for implementing a national research and environment programme and developing new markets for forest produce and the wood biomass energy sector.

Mr O’Carroll said IFIC needs to reinvent itself to better service its members’ needs in light of constant policy and regulatory changes.