Timber must be imported due to fires

THE timber industry will have to import nearly one million cubic metres of material because about 1,500 hectares of forestry were lost in the recent spate of fires, according to the Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association, which represents the forestry and forest-based business sector.

Calling for prosecution of those responsible for fires, IFFPA director Marian Byron said: “Every hectare of forest destroyed will result in up to 650 cubic metres of timber that must be imported, with the resultant loss of many local forestry, harvesting and haulage jobs.

Forest owners have been reminded by Minister of State Shane McEntee at the Department of Agriculture to ensure their forestry insurance is up-to-date, firebreaks are in good condition, fire plans are in place, and to report any fire losses to the forestry division of his department.”