Coillte’s care for the environment

COILLTE refutes the allegations made by Dr Roderick O’Sullivan (The Irish Examiner Letters, March 5).

Coillte manages its forests to the highest international standards and, in May 2006, received renewal of its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This independent certification involves extensive audits and inspections of all of Coillte’s processes and procedures by an international firm of environmental auditors. This process confirms that Coillte’s forests are managed in a manner which is economically, environmentally and socially responsible.

Dr O’Sullivan claims the British forestry authority ceased plantation of conifers 18 years ago. In fact, The Forestry Commission there planted 81% conifers and 19% broadleaves in 2006. In Scotland, which has conditions similar to the Republic of Ireland, 91% conifers were planted compared with 9% broadleaves in 2006.