Minister stresses importance of forestry in providing extra income
He said this, in turn, would help to maximise timber production and therefore income for a forest owner at felling stage. Mr Hayes, who was officially opening Talking Timber, a Teagasc-organised event in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, said there was the wider picture as well.
“In the context of our forestry sector, it is vital that privately-owned timber is made available to the timber industry,” he said.
Talking Timber is an information and marketing initiative organised by Teagasc in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine with the co-operation of the Irish timber industry.
It provides forest owners, especially those whose plantations are at or approaching thinning age, with the opportunity to find out more about the timber selling process and to meet with timber buyers, harvesting contractors and foresters.
Mr Hayes said the attendance in Mullingar demonstrated the interest that existed among forest owners in managing their forestry plantations and in selling their timber.
The format of the event included an outdoor demonstration organised by the Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association, where the attendance had the opportunity to view the quality and specification of timber required by Irish sawmills.
Mr Hayes said these events sought to inform, encourage and facilitate forest owners to harvest and market their timber.
