Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 14 September 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Forestry Sector: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Colm Hayes:

The best indicator of the expectations from stakeholders comes from the COFORD roundwood forecast report. From memory, for this year it has a figure of approximately 4.5 million cu. m. It is very difficult. People will make decisions. It is not like bringing cattle to the factory. The trees will still be standing in six months' time if we do not fell them. People will judge the markets. They will look at their personal circumstances as to when to fell. They may decide to wait for a year. Our job is to get the maximum volume out there within the permitted environmental regulations. Last year, we got 5 million cu. m. licensed. That will be exceeded this year, perhaps by 30% or more. We go back to the same theme of continuous improvement. It is a case of all the time putting more and more timber out there, helping those who need it and helping stakeholders to meet their demands and supply requests. I am satisfied that we-----

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