Mr. Andrew Doyle, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry today opened the ‘Talking Hardwoods’ 2017 event at the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork.

The Minister commented “I am pleased to participate in this very important event bringing together forest owners with broadleaf tree species in their forest plantations and the hardwood industry to learn and share information about the management, harvesting and marketing of hardwoods. Broadleaves represent a very significant proportion of the forest estate, estimated at just over 25%. Given their value, their longer growing cycle and different management requirements, it is timely for this event to focus specifically on issues for broadleaf growers. I would particularly like to commend Teagasc on organising it”.

The ‘Talking Hardwoods’ event presents an opportunity for broadleaf owners to find out more about managing their forests and the options available to them in the future. The Minister added that “all of the indications are that quality is key in the production of a valuable hardwood timber crop, and quality is only achieved through appropriate management. The message for owners is that the higher the quality of timber, the more valuable and attractive it will be to the timber purchasers and end-users.”

Referring to the forestry sector in general, Minister of Doyle also commented “the continued commitment by the Government to the development of Irish forestry is evident from the forestry allocation announced in recent weeks as part of Budget 2018.  The allocation of €106 million, including a capital carryover, for forestry development will allow for the planting of over 6,600 hectares of new forests next year.”

ENDS

Date Released: 24 October 2017