4,576 felling licences remain in backlogged system

Forestry licences issued so far this year is 20% higher than in 2020 

Tim McCarthy with his son Jerome and grandchildren Simon and Neasa: Tim applied 12 months ago for a licence to fell his mature sitka spruce planted in 1987/88. He is still waiting for the licence. He is chairman of Forest Owners Co-operative Society (FOCS) and says some members have been waiting four years for felling licences. Picture: Larry Cummins.  

The number of forestry licences issued in the first quarter of 2021 is almost 20% higher than the same period last year.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said last week the 814 forestry licences issued up to March 26 is 18% of his Department’s target of 4,500 licences this year.