Mr. Donal Magner:

That works well in countries with an oversupply of logs, such as in Scandinavia where there is 70% forest cover. In Austria, there is only a 40% or 50% forest cover. Across Europe forest cover is 40%. There is a state-private mix and there may be an abundance of logs in some countries. In Ireland, due to our competitive saw-milling sector and because so little is coming on the market from the private sector, there is a huge demand for logs at the moment. Any company operating with a commercial mandate will use that as a marketing plus. That is what Coillte has at the moment. For example, I know of one mill that fought hard for a guaranteed supply eight years ago. It is a small to medium-sized mill processing 100,000 cu. m of logs per annum. Because of the increase in private planting, it is now mainly getting around 65% to 70% of its logs from farmer growers. Therefore, it is no longer hung up on seeking security of contracts. That will happen increasingly as one gets farmers coming in.

Nine years ago, the private sector supplied 100,000 cu. m. It is now supplying 400,000 cu. m and by 2020 it will pass the 1 million cu. m mark. The private sector is increasing and at last we are getting a good mix of public and private. We contend that a good State forestry mix is needed as a counterweight. It is vital. We need research and other things; we are only at the beginning of species selection. We planted 2,000 acres of ash in the last few years but we are no longer planting that variety.

There is a large amount of work to be done on preservation, disease and other matters. The State sector must provide its time and resources for that, as well as for recreational and other non-wood benefits.