Private funding for forestry ‘at risk’

THE Government was warned yesterday that significant private investment in forestry is at risk if it abandons its policy for the industry.

A seminar in Dublin was told that the Irish Government investment in the sector decreased by 27% in 2002-2003 while that of the Finnish Government increased by 40%.

The Irish Government was urged to assure private and company investors who have committed several million euro to the industry that its strategy will not be abandoned because of short-term cash flow difficulties.