At the Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois this week, Minister of State for Forestry, Tom Hayes TD presented certificates to a number of companies newly certified under the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme, which is run by the Irish Bioenergy Association – IrBEA.   The scheme covers Wood Logs, Wood Briquettes, Wood Pellets and Wood Chip. Certified wood fuel suppliers are compliant with the latest European standards.

Speaking at the presentation the Minister said: “I am glad to be here today to present four companies new to the Wood Fuel Quality Scheme with the certificates. Wood fuel production from forests is an expanding activity across the country. It is important to provide consumers with good quality logs, chips and pellets, so we can grow the wood fuel market as a clean, climate friendly source of heat and power.  My Department supports the scheme as part of our commitment to fostering forest-based jobs and developing rural economies. In that regard last year saw a 14% increase in the use of forest-based fuels. The firewood market alone is now worth over €33 million, per year, with much of the fuel coming from first thinning of grant-aided forest plantations”.

In concluding the Minister said: “I want to congratulate the Irish BioEnergy Association for their initiative in running and promoting the scheme, and all the companies certified under the WFQA banner”.

Ms Pat Murphy, Chair of the WFQA said: “We have worked with the new companies over the past year to support their WFQA applications, and I am delighted that we secured their membership. A number of other companies will be certified in the coming months.  As a supplier of wood fuels and boilers I know how important it is that we base the growth of the wood fuel sector firmly on quality - this is what WFQA is all about. Our plan is to make our bright flame logo something that customers will increasingly look to when buying pellets, woodchip or indeed firewood”.

Note for editors

The following companies were presented with WFQA certificates:

• Sherlogs Firewood is based in Navan, Co Meath.
• Celtic Logs produce kiln-dried firewood in Mountbellew, Co Galway.
• BR Woodfuels in Rush Co Dublin supply firewood to the North Dublin/Meath area.
• Wood 2 Go provides certified firewood from their base in Mullingar to Westmeath and surrounding areas.

For further information on the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance scheme please contact Mr Noel Gavigan of IrBEA at 087 6845977, or see www.wfqa.org.   

 To view this Press Release as a PDF click here :  DAFMPR139/2014 (pdf 555Kb) 

Pictured above L-R: Hugh O'Brien (Celtic Logs), Ministers Tom Hayes TD, David and Thomas Flynn (Wood 2 Go), Evelyn and John Sherlock (Sherlogs).

Date Released: 26 September 2014