Taskforce tackles 7,000 ha of wind-felled forest

Between 5,000 and 7,000 hectares of forest, mainly in Munster, were blown down by recent storms, according to early estimates.

A Windblow Taskforce has been formed, chaired by Tom Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with representatives from the Irish Forest and Forest Products’ Association, Irish Timber Growers’ Association, Coillte, Irish Farmers’ Association, and the De par tment of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

Minister Hayes said “Teagasc forestry advisers will meet any forest owner, in the Teagasc offices, for a one-to-one meeting to discuss this and any other forestry matter. I would also strongly urge forest owners to get professional advice from qualified foresters to guide them through this process”.