Forestry sector making significant contribution to the economy
He said it employs just under 12,000 people with some 78% of the processing output being exported in 2012.
“There are also visible daily indications of the growth of the forestry sector. Lorries hauling timber are becoming as much a feature on our roads as livestock lorries.
“That’s not just as a result of the increased felling following the February storm,” he said.
Mr Hayes said it took roughly 83,000 truck movements to haul all the cattle slaughtered in our export plants in 2012.
“It took approximately 97,000 truck movements to haul a year’s harvest of roundwood in the same year,” he said.
Mr Hayes said the main issues facing the industry at national level are the formulation of the new forestry programme up to 2020, the updating of the legislative framework within which the sector operates and the outcome of the review of forest policy.
Recalling the February storms, Mr Hayes said thousands of hectares were flattened. This was unprecedented and needed immediate action.
In the aftermath of Storm Darwin, he said he set up a taskforce with representatives from industry and landowners. They worked together and with his department to give practical guidance to the industry and to accurately assess the damage.
“When I looked for financial contributions to carry out the assessment, the group responded positively and I appreciate that.
“I was very impressed with the atmosphere around the table and the way in which this small group of people made progress,” he said.
Mr Hayes said he had therefore decided that he will shortly set up a small group, modelled on the Windblow Taskforce.
It will comprise the key players in the sector that are well positioned to advise and assist him and his department on how best to tackle the various challenges over the next few years.
Mr Hayes said these issues are associated with getting the private timber to the market, planting targets and forest protection.
“It will not be a new state agency and it doesn’t need to have its own permanent secretariat. I want it to be small and ‘match-fit’.
“I do not envisage this group replacing either the Coford Council or the Forest Liaison Group. I believe that the Forest Liaison Group is an important forum as it enables me and my officials to meet with, listen to and inform the wider group of stakeholders and I intend to keep this important line of two-way communication open.
“Similarly, Coford provides a very important public service and I believe it must be maintained,” he said.
Minister Hayes said an ongoing challenge for the sector is to maintain and increase new planting to ensure a sustainable supply of timber into the future.
