The Irish forestry industry has urged the government to implement a “stronger and more consistent plan” for its National Forest Programme.
This was the key messsage at the “National Forest Strategy: A Vision for the Future” conference held by the Irish Forestry Industry Chain (IFIC) in association with the Irish Timber Growers Association, Society of Irish Foresters and COFORD.
Speakers at the March 12 event said the upcoming review of the strategy must take account of a dramatic change in the forest sector’s operating environment since the document was formulated in 1996.
IFIC chairman George McCarthy said key factors in ensuring the development of the forestry industry are shared investment, sectoral development and a stable regulatory and policy environment.
Conference-goers welcomed the government’s review, which will examine funding, national and international environmental and market developments, plus changes in land use.
