The Environmental Pillar eco group seeks forestry task force for native tree integration

Eco group The Environmental Pillar has called on Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney to set up a task force to integrate native trees onto farms.

The group, a coalition of 28 national environment NGOs, says the Government could use existing financial incentives, such as the Native Woodland Scheme, to ensure the initiative would not add any costs on to the farmer.

“Embracing native woodland solutions on farms will not take away from the traditional Irish farming model; in fact it will enhance it,” said Andrew St Ledger, spokesman for The Environmental Pillar.