Timber industry challenged to develop new products
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh told the Irish Timber Council (ITC) annual general meeting in Cork at the weekend that he wants to see a combined and aggressive approach in the downstream area of the industry.
"I see no reason why we should not have a renewed and sustained import substitution policy in the timber sector which would make a real impact on our balance of payments and our job creation," he said.
Mr Walsh said there is considerable scope in the sector for more value added products such as timber framed housing, road fencing and greater use of wood products in the construction and leisure sectors. He welcomed ITC's commitment to working in partnership with customers, suppliers and other processors to improve quality standards and to maximise the use of timber in both the domestic and export markets.
ITC mills have increased output and sales by 90% since 1997 a major success story for the sawmilling industry making a total annual turnover of around €260 million.
The extensive product range includes timber for construction, pallets, stakes, fencing, flooring, decking and garden furniture. Wood residue is being used in chips and sawdust supplied mainly to panel board mills and bark to garden centres.
ITC mills provide direct employment of 1,155 jobs and support a further 980 jobs in harvesting, transport, service and related areas and have invested some €100 million in new and replacement technologies in the past five years. Mr Walsh said there was a renewed confidence in the forestry sector.
This was clearly evident from the significant increase in the applications for approval to plant on over 17,000 hectares.
It is intended to plan up to 12,000 hectares of land this year with increasing signs that there will be even greater demand for planting next year.
The restoration of the support schemes by his department was a positive development for those who have already planted. The single payment recognition for forestry provided a highly significant and timely boost to those farmers contemplating planting.
Mr Walsh said the renewed impetus is appropriate in the centenary year of modern Irish forestry, adding that the Government's commitment to forestry will be sustained.
