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The Irish Forestry and Forest Products Association (IFFPA),
a business sector within IBEC, has said that any move to cut
government investment in the afforestation programme in the
upcoming budget would be at odds with government environmental
policy and have a very negative impact on jobs in the sector.
The IFFPA
said afforestation was vital to help Ireland become a cleaner,
more sustainable country. The group said that investment in
the area was of great economic benefit to the country, providing
valuable employment in a long-established and sustainable
sector of the economy. The forest industry, comprising growing,
harvesting and processing of forest products, makes a significant
contribution to the Irish economy. Output in 2008 was c. €1.89
billion, or just under 1% of GDP.
Director of the IFFPA Marian Byron said - “The afforestation
programme has a crucial role to play in reducing Ireland's
carbon emissions and supporting indigenous industry and employment.
Any move to reduce government support in this area would be
short-sighted and ultimately counter-productive.
"Moderate investment from Government would ensure that the
current commitment to the afforestation programme is maintained.
The Government has already spent €89 million purchasing carbon
credits. However, if the Government commits €150 million to
the afforestation programme, 10,000 hectares of forest will
be protected, allowing Ireland to comply with its Kyoto targets
and saving the Irish taxpayer €220 million through 2012.
“It has been estimated that if 15,000 hectares are planted
per year, on average 490 direct jobs would be required annually
to establish, manage, harvest and process that timber. The
direct employment (over 40 years) associated with 15,000 hectares
planted in 2009, therefore, averages 490 man-years annually.
The sector currently employs 16,000 people.
“Alongside the carbon benefits that afforestation provides
for, forests provide the largest outdoor area for recreational
use. This has been valued at €97 million - which, in turn,
generates €268 million in economic activities for communities
in rural areas. Annual visitor numbers to Irish forests are
in excess of 18 million,” concluded Ms Byron.
The afforestation grants and premium scheme programme is
run by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and
is designed to cover 100% of the costs of establishing new
forests. The main afforestation programme allocated €108 million
for 2009.
IFFPA promotes the potential of the forestry and forest-based
business sector to the Irish economy, the environment and
to social and leisure amenities. It is the only industry association
that represents the sector as a whole and provides mechanisms
for collaboration on a sector-wide basis.
The association operates at both a national and international
level to gain support for a sustainable industry sector, which
is vital to Irish society and the national interest.
As a membership organisation, IFFPA works to educate and
communicate the wide-ranging potential benefits of forestry
and forest products to a wide audience - including the Government,
state agencies and consumers.
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