Public meeting for forest owners who have storm-damaged forests
Forest owners whose properties have been affected by the recent Storm Éowyn
Forest owners whose properties have been affected by the recent Storm Éowyn are invited to attend a public meeting aimed at addressing the challenges presented by storm-damaged forests.
The event will take place on February 18th at 7 p.m. in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon.
The meeting is being organised by Irish Forest Owners, a national organisation supporting and representing forest owners across Ireland through a producer group network.
The meeting will provide a platform for forest owners with storm damage to come together, share experiences and explore strategies for recovering and restoring storm-damaged forests.
“This collaborative effort aims to support forest owners in navigating the aftermath of the most severe weather event in recent times and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of their forests,” said Derek McCabe, Chairman of Irish Forest Owners
•Assessing Government response to date.
•Emergency response and recovery strategies for forest owners.
•Discussing the needs of affected forest owners.
• Financial assistance and resources needed by forest owners.
•Short-term planning in mitigating losses.
•Preventing profiteering in the supply chain at the expense of forest owners.
The meeting will include discussions on the scale of damage across the country and the needs of forest owners. There will also be networking opportunities to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants.
"Our forests are vital to our environment and economy, and it is crucial that we come together to support those affected by recent storms," said Mr McCabe. "This meeting is an opportunity for forest owners to gain valuable insights and resources to help them mitigate their losses, and to build resilience for the future."
Forest owners are demanding the following immediate action support for farmer/family forest owners; a floor on timber prices and the shift from price per tonne to price per m3 (price based on volume rather than weight); a commitment to make a replanting grant available for all windblown sites; ensure that felling licences are not a barrier to the clean-up of windblown sites; funding support akin to that provided for ash growers to recognise the huge expense in clearing forests of fallen and damaged timber.
The group also believes that the Government needs to declare and enact emergency legislation to put a moratorium on granting felling licences or processing of all standing timber until windblown timber is processed; to fast-track licences on the basis of health and safety risks and disease risks; to put a moratorium on the importation of firewood and biomass until all fallen timber is utilised across the country. That includes a ban on all boatloads of biomass coming from the other-side of the world into Ireland.
For more information and to register for the Carrick-on-Shannon event visit www.irishforestowners.com or contact info@irishforestowners.com
