Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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203. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that representatives of an organisation (details supplied) are included in the industry led working group in regard to the request for tenders dated 12 October 2022 relating to services to prepare a business plan for the establishment of an Irish group forest certification scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56895/22]

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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204. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that representatives of each existing group certification scheme in Ireland are included in the industry -led working group in regard to the request for tenders dated 12 October 2022 relating to services to prepare a business plan for the establishment of an Irish group forest certification scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56896/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.

I propose to take PQs 56895/22 and 56896/22 together.

The COFORD Council with funding from my Department has carried out a study on forest certification which was published in November 2022. Forest certification is a voluntary process used by forestry organisations to reassure consumers that the wood and wood products they buy come from sustainably managed forests.

The request for tender deadline has just closed and tenders will now be assessed. The successful tender will prepare a detailed business case outlining the Industry funding model and funds required to support private certification. The stakeholder group to develop the business plan will include representatives from the forestry sector and the composition of this industry group will be determined by the successful tenderer and this process will be independent of my Department.