Sir, – In “Farmers and foresters join forces to tackle tree-planting crisis” (Business, May 31st), Barry O’Halloran refers to an impending “fresh crisis” in forestry.
The consensus among working foresters is that forestry has been in crisis for the last five years, with the lowest planting since 1946, when visionary statesman Seán MacBride vigorously promoted tree planting. Forestry was one of the resounding success stories in the State, until leadership passed to a group of Dublin foresters, most with limited practical experience and who have set about promoting a vision of forestry incorporating elements of Disney’s Bambi to the tune of the Teddy Bear’s Picnic.
Thus, we have seen a collapse of the best-funded forestry programme in the world with vital conifer afforestation being jettisoned in favour of native trees. While increased native trees are welcome, they cannot provide the raw materials for industry, nor capture carbon on the scale which is needed. Only conifers can do this.
As a working forester, I see the Forest Service schemes as the aspirations of a bunch of well-meaning people, but wholly impractical and doomed to failure. Irish people will pay for this in increased imports of scarce foreign grown timber, and with no guarantee that this timber has been sustainably produced.
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Abolition of the Forest Service and its replacement with a new and vibrant body should be on Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity Pippa Hackett’s agenda. – Is mise,
RICHARD ROMER,
Kilmaley,
Co Clare.
