The forestry industry of south-west France is facing a “new economic tragedy” after strong winds blew down an estimated 50 million m³ of timber.
The “Klaus” storm on January 24 has particularly hit maritime pine and poplar in the Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrenees and Languedoc-Roussillon regions.
About 300,000ha has been damaged in Aquitaine’s 4 million ha of forest while half the 1 million ha of Midi-Pyrenees is damaged.
The National Federation of Private Forest Owners says the storm has come at a bad time, as sawmills have been laying people off and demand for wood is low, compared to far more buoyant times after the storm of 1999.
The government is making €5m available to help clear trees and further surveys will help establish the volume and quality of timber damaged.
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