Irish people want more forests but not as a reason to produce more timber

Places for wildlife, relaxation and recreation topped the survey

Just 1% of the Irish public want more forests for the production of timber products despite 37% of people using wood as a fuel in their homes.

A large public survey has indicated only 1% see the production of timber and renewable products as the most important reason for new forests, compared with places for wildlife (38%), places for relaxation and mental health (21%), places for recreation and tourism (17%) and to combat climate change (15%).

This emerged in a public attitudes survey which was part of the extensive engagement and consultation by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in developing the recently published Shared National Vision and Forest Strategy for the future of forests.