Happy Holly-day

This year has been a challenging year all round, but Rena Blake and Lisa Fingleton are determined to stay positive and keep taking actions for the future generations to come. Their farm in Ballybunion, The Barna Way, is an eco, social farm with lots of diverse community and creative projects.

España ha sido pionera en muchos aspectos de la salud pública, pero también se enfrenta a desafíos cuando se trata de facilitar el acceso a ciertos tratamientos sin trámites engorrosos. Es por eso que cada vez más personas optan por soluciones que les brinden autonomía. Una de ellas es comprar Cenforce en España, una opción que ha ganado terreno por su fiabilidad y efecto comprobado. Este medicamento, destinado al tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil, ofrece una alternativa a quienes buscan una solución asequible y de calidad sin comprometer su privacidad. A través de farmacias online especializadas, los usuarios pueden hacer sus pedidos con total confianza, revisar las especificaciones del producto y elegir el formato que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades. Esta accesibilidad digital representa una nueva era en la gestión de la salud personal, donde el control y la información están finalmente al alcance del usuario.

“Today we are planting 500 holly trees on the Winter Solstice here in Barna. The holly tree is a particularly significant native tree. Druids believed the Holly tree to possess protective qualities. For centuries this magical tree has been represented by a Holly wreath which was worn as a crown by Celtic chieftains for good luck” says Rena.

Last June Rena and Lisa planted 9500 trees on their land. This initiative is managed by Greenbelt through the Native Woodland Scheme. “We are delighted that Cahills Supervalu have come on board through the Woodland Environmental Fund as we feel this is an important investment in North Kerry” says Rena.

According to Cormac Cahill, the owner and manager of Supervalu, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to get involved in this great project in Ballybunion. Over the last year we have been greening our business as much as possible with solar panels on our roof and our fully electric delivery van. We see this as the cherry on the cake and we are excited to be part of it”.

The woodland includes oak, holly, birch, rowan, hawthorn and Scots Pine. According to Rena “Generations of my family have lived on this land. I feel we are caretakers or stewards of the fields, taking care of it while we are here. One hundred years ago my family planted some trees here which provide great protection for us. We want to leave a woodland for the generations to come”.

Lisa says “We are concerned about climate change and want to play our part in protecting habitats and biodiversity now and into the future. We are so lucky to have land and we feel that planting native trees is the best gift we can give to the planet”.

According to Ger Moroney the Regional Manager at Green Belt “I see it as a collaboration between a local business, Cahill's Supervalu in this case and local landowners (Rena and Lisa) to pay forward environmentally by planting a Native Woodland. Green Belt was involved from the beginning and managed all the forestry aspects of the project.

Der oplever udfordringer i deres intime liv, er det vigtigt at finde en løsning, der er både effektiv og let tilgængelig. En mulighed, der bliver stadig mere populær, er at købe Levitra uden recept, som giver en nem og diskret vej til at genopbygge selvtillid og forbedre livskvaliteten. At vælge Levitra uden recept betyder, at du kan tage kontrol over dit helbred uden besværet ved lægebesøg eller lange ventetider. Produktet er kendt for sin hurtige virkning og pålidelighed, hvilket gør det til et ideelt valg for mange. Det er dog vigtigt at sikre, at du handler fra en troværdig leverandør for at garantere kvalitet og sikkerhed. Med denne moderne tilgang kan du nemt finde en løsning, der passer til dine behov, og samtidig nyde fleksibiliteten og bekvemmeligheden ved at handle online.

“I am extremely proud of this particular initiative that started as an ideal with potential- The Woodland Environmental Fund. I think that it's a win win for business, landowners and our environment. Big companies and small have gotten on board with land owners like Rena and Lisa, who recognise that we need to give back, that trees are required to help reverse climate change. The world needs fixing and this scheme helps to encourage landowners to do this. I am most proud that my eldest son Eddie along with Martin and Alex, long term colleagues are involved in the planting and maintenance of Rena and Lisa's trees”.

For more info about Native Woodland scheme contact: Gerard Moroney, Green Belt Ltd P: +353(0)868380915 E: gmoroney@greenbelt.ie

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Imelda Connolly as Group CEO. Imelda brings a wealth of experience from her finance roles across numerous sectors. Her attention to detail and focus on results are a very welcome addition to the management of Green Belt.

Imelda takes control of Green Belt during an extremely challenging period for the forestry industry in Ireland. Initial focus has been to consolidate the business and from this position of strength, we will be much better positioned to continue to deliver strong results to our clients.

While achieving an increase in afforestation area is an important element to our business and the industry at large, there are vast opportunities in the forestry sector to be developed. The new leadership team within Green Belt is embracing these opportunities and you will continue to hear updates as these plans progress.

Here, at Green Belt, we have refashioned our logo to highlight our commitment and dedication to the sustainability and enhancement of your forestry and natural environment through our expert service delivery. Since 1982, we have delivered professional forestry advice and management to more than 7,000 clients at home and abroad. As forestry becomes increasingly crucial in the climate action agenda, Green Belt’s position as professional forestry and natural environment management consultants provide us with the perfect platform to develop the bioeconomy and add further value to the national private estate. ‘Your Forest, Your Future’ is an expression of our commitment to you, our clients, to continue to deliver exceptional returns in economic, environmental and social terms. Your local forestry expert will guide you through all aspects of essential forestry management. We look forward to working with you into the future. Watch out for our newly branded vehicles on the road too!

In an article from the Irish Independent, below, the Forest Service have been shown to have misled the entire country in their analysis of the issues around the issuance of licences for all aspects of forestry activity.

The issues were highlighted to the Forest Service more than 3 years ago, but has to date been dealt with poorly and ineffectively. @FII have been constantly lobbying the government to affect real change within the department but to no avail. This is a further hammer blow to an already under pressure, poorly regarded but increasingly valuable sector.

Claire Mc Cormack November 25 2020 01:21 PM

A staggering 4,600 forestry license applications are backlogged in the Forestry Service, the Department of Agriculture has admitted, with fears in the sector the backlog could take four years to clear. It is understood an admission that 4,600 licenses are waiting approval was made during an official policy-related meeting involving Department officials this week. Until now, Department officials have routinely repeated other figures stating that between 1,900 and 2,000 forestry license applications were stuck in the system - this position was reaffirmed as recently as last week’s Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture meeting by both Colm Hayes assistant secretary general at the Department and Pippa Hackett Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry. However, the Farming Independent now understands that 2,000 license applications for felling and planting are grounded in the Department’s ecology division, an additional 1,400 license files for roads are marooned in another processing system, while a further 1,200 Coillte licenses for clear fell and thinning are also in a state of arrested development. With grave concerns already aired that a 2,000-strong license log-jam would take at least two years to overcome; stakeholders now fear that it will take more than four years to work the stockpile through the official system currently in operation. This latest development is another heavy blow to frontline stakeholders involved in Irish forestry supply chain – from farmers, primary producers, contractors and forestry service providers to timber merchants, sawmills, manufacturers, nurseries and haulage companies who are currently reliant on boatload imports of sawlog and sawn timber to keep the sector afloat. But with growing concern that import supplies will dry up next spring, sources say significant pressure for urgent short-term actions to ameliorate the crisis and long-term changes to the relevant legislative process will mount on the Department over the coming days and weeks. The deepening saga also continues to cast further doubt over Programme for Government aspirations to plant 8,000ha of new carbon-absorbing forestry every year to offset emissions. It is projected that just 2,000ha will be planted by the end of 2020 – this is down from peak levels of planting 23,000ha in 1995, according to official Department data.

MINISTER McCONALOGUE AND MINISTER HACKETT MUST ACT ON IFA EMERGENCY FORESTRY MEASURES IFA President Tim Cullinan said that Minister McConalogue and Minister of State Hackett must act on the six emergency measures put forward by IFA. These would allow farmers to manage their forests and ensure the survival of our indigenous timber industry, At a meeting yesterday with Ministers McConalogue and Hackett, IFA pointed out that there are nearly 2,000 licences caught up in the Department. Despite the additional resources that have been allocated, the backlog will not be cleared for two years. ““The target for processing licences in both the legislation and the Charter of Farmers’ Rights is four months. These delays are a scandalous treatment of farmers and will be the death knell for our timber industry and our forestry planting programme” he said. He stressed IFA’s willingness to work with the Ministers, but said that the length of the timeframe proposed to deal with the crisis was unacceptable. “I have asked the Ministers to go to the EU Commission to seek an amnesty, an emergency provision, due to the scale of the crisis and the risk to the future of the forest sector. These are exceptional circumstances and demand exceptional actions,” he said. IFA Farm Forestry Chairman Vincent Nally said that the system is not working for farmers. The costs and red tape associated with planting and managing a forest is a disincentive to planting and actively discourages management. “The system needs to be streamlined through the amendment of the Forestry Act 2014 to remove the requirement of a licence for a forest roads and thinning operations. The submission of a management plan that describes how the forest will be sustainably managed over a ten to twenty-year period, should replace the licence requirement,” he said.
Mr. Cullinan said that he welcomed the proposal by the Ministers to meet again in three weeks to progress action on forestry licences. “There is no doubt that the system needs to be reformed, and without this reform, I could not encourage farmers to plant.”

Ends.

The McKinnon report was commissioned to help Ireland deliver on its afforestation potential and requirements. Since its publication, there has been some progress but nowhere near enough to actually drive the sector on - in fact, it is in more danger than ever, which includes the potential loss of a high proportion of the 12,000 jobs in rural communities that are employed within the sector.

Minister Hackett has stopped short from actually and actively pushing to get the McKinnon report implemented and rather, took the softer option of appointing Jo O'Hara as an advisor - The industry hopes this is not simply lip service and results will actually be delivered from this appointment - Ms O'Hara certainly has the credential to deliver. We will watch with interest.....

Press release from the DAFM Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has today announced the appointment of Ms. Jo O’Hara to advise her on implementation of the Mackinnon Report. This Report was commissioned by the Department to review the processes and procedures for forestry licensing in Ireland. Jo O’Hara was a British Forestry Commissioner, Chief Forester for Scotland and Chief Executive of Scottish Forestry, she is currently working as a private consultant in the UK.

Minister Hackett commented

“The Mackinnon report was commissioned to review our processes and procedures and ensure that collectively we are fit for purpose to deliver the ambitious targets for the forestry sector in Ireland. Its implementation is set out as a key forestry action in the Programme for Government and I am delighted to have Jo O’Hara on board to advise on this process. I met with Jo recently and was impressed with her enthusiasm for forestry and woodland creation. She understands the wide range of concerns here in Ireland in relation to forestry. Jo brings a wealth of experience from her time in Scotland not least in leading the implementing of the Scottish Mackinnon report.

The Minister added

“We have set Jo O’Hara an ambitious target of reporting back by end-February, with her advice on actions for the successful delivery of the ‘ways forward’ identified in Mackinnon. Forestry has enormous potential to deliver for climate, biodiversity and the rural economy and the implementation of this review will help to ensure that the licensing system can deliver on that future policy ambition, as well as assisting with the resolution of current issues. It must also, of course, maintain the integrity of the current licencing system and ensure continued compliance with all of our environmental obligations”.

The Minister concluded,

“I would encourage all stakeholders to take the time to read the Mackinnon report again as it contains a number of important recommendations, on which we all need to reflect. I would also encourage any interested stakeholders to engage with Jo O’Hara on her work. I have established a Forestry Policy Group, comprising a broad range of stakeholders, which will be actively involved in this process and which will have its first meeting next week. This is the group which will help to inform forest policy development in Ireland and it’s important also that they have the opportunity to engage with Jo O’Hara from the beginning of her appointment”.

On taking up the appointment Jo O’Hara said,

“I am delighted to have been appointed by the Minister to help with this vital work. Sustainable forestry clearly has an important role in realising the huge potential of Ireland’s land to support a productive, low-carbon and nature-rich economy, and I am glad to be able to share my experience in developing supportive systems and processes to achieve that. I look forward to engaging with the stakeholders in Ireland to meet the Minister’s ambitious target of advising on an implementation plan by end-February”

Note for Editors: The Terms of Reference for Jo O’Hara’s work are:

a. To advise the Minister on an Implementation Plan based on the Mackinnon report, setting out measurable and deliverable actions and timelines for their achievement;

b. To engage with all relevant stakeholders in the development of this Plan;

c. To submit her recommendations on an Implementation Plan to the Minister and the Forest Policy Group by end-February, 2021.

The Mackinnon report is published at: Review of the Appeal Process for Afforestation In Ireland - McKinnon 2019

Jo O’Hara was formerly Chief Executive of Scottish Forestry, a Forestry Commissioner and Head of Forestry Commission Scotland and is currently working as a consultant and non-executive Director. She is a qualified forestry and land use professional, with 30 years’ experience in operational and policy roles. During her time leading Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Forestry, she oversaw the development and introduction of a new forestry strategy, and a significant increase in sustainable woodland creation of all types and scales.

Green Belt biochar is live! We are producing high quality biochar as measured by independent testing lab’ @celignis. High, stable carbon content, exceptionally large surface area and a sustainable source ensures that your biochar supply will provide precisely what your lands require.

Our Biochar can be provided ‘raw’ or can be added to an active agent to provide the requisite nutrients for your application.

For those looking to increase grass yield, composting biochar with slurry for a 2 week period and then spreading it intimately across your pasture will see long term, greatly beneficial returns and increased grass production. This is the result dairy farmers are seeking - an increase in yield per hectare.

For all farm and/ or land users that produce a run off, biochar is an ideal filter and one which will capture the nutrients from the run off and deliver it to the required destination. For example, to minimise the emissions per farm, it is suggested every holding should have a tree presence. If this were strategically located in the line of traditional run off, the trees could be planted with biochar at the roots and the nutrients would be adsorbed this enhancing the growth of the trees and protecting the watercourses and associated elements.

This is real. This is true. This is your chance. More and more companies are now looking at sustainable and active ways to address their carbon footprint. Utilising biochar as a carbon store in soil amendment purposes for example is one such event. Biochar typically captures more than 3 tonnes of CO2 eq per ton of biochar produced, with a low production footprint.

In the attached download, IEA Bioenergy present 10 points debunking some of the myths around the use of biomass around climate change mitigation.

It is a very interesting read and sheds invaluable light on the process and the values associated with biomass in terms of local employment, carbon capture, fossil fuel displacement, displacement of import and so on.

We are delighted to see it being published and we are happy to speak with you about the supply agreements for biomass projects you are considering.

An article published in the Business post last week discusses the issues around the licencing for forestry operations. This article refers mainly to the harvesting side of the business, however, a similarly large issue os around the afforestation (new planting application process. Thank you to @RosannaCooney from the business post for the article.

Government accused of failing to address ‘urgent appeals crisis’ in timber industry Irish sawmills are now anticipating they will run out of timber by the end of September, which could have a significant impact on the construction industry

Rosanna Cooney 30th July, 2020

Representatives of the Irish timber industry say it is in crisis as felling licences are taking up to two years to come through, due to a large number of appeals. Picture: Getty A Department of Agriculture plan to rescue the timber industry has been criticised by sector representatives as being “a day late and a dollar short”. Worth €2.3 billion to the economy and employing 12,000 people, the forestry sector relies on licences issued by the Department of Agriculture for trees to be planted and felled. The industry is currently in a “crisis” as felling licences are taking up to two years to come through, due to a large number of appeals. Irish sawmills are now anticipating they will run out of timber by the end of September, which would have a significant impact on the construction industry. Coillte, which usually holds a dozen timber auctions a year, has so far held three this year, as the supply isn‘t there. Today, Pippa Hackett, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, said the government would “speedily implement” a proposal to align the forestry licensing and appeals processes with the planning process. This involves amending the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 and will be addressed after the Dáil‘s summer recess. Hackett also announced plans to recruit more ecologists to help speed up the licensing process. Mark McAuley, director of Forest Industries Ireland, an industry group that is part of IBEC, the employer‘s representative, welcomed the department’s announcement but said it “should have been done six months ago”. “There is a disconnect between what the department’s plans are and just how urgent this situation is. It’s a day late and a dollar short,” McAuley said. “We need resources thrown at this immediately, otherwise the saw mills will have no timber come October”. McAuley said that the only way for the industry to survive until the legislation changes, is to immediately add more people to the forestry appeals committee and to get licences pushed through faster. Licences are being appealed at the rate of 40-50 a month, data from the Forestry Appeals Committee show. That is more than twice as fast as the committee is processing appeals and it is creating an inevitable backlog. There are also issues in processing licence applications. Roughly 1,500 licence applications are with the Department of Agriculture and officials are processing around a 100 a month, which means it will take close to 15 months to clear the queue even if no other applications are made and that is before any appeals. Some of the owners of Ireland‘s sawmills, describe being at a “crisis” point, where they are struggling to know how they will retain their employees and their customers. “It is not a matter of if we are going to run out of logs, it is a matter of when, Niall Grainger, managing director of one of Ireland’s biggest timber processors, GP Wood, told the Business Post. Grainger has already begun importing sawn timber from Eastern Europe to sell to customers here in Ireland, in order to retain them. “It takes a long time for big ships to turn, it is a big ship the government’s plan, but in the interim, the industry is going to be in ruination and there will be no industry there by the time this government‘s plan comes to pass,” Grainger said. “I don‘t use the word crisis lightly, but that is what is happening right now. It’s the worst it has ever been. We are collateral damage in this situation.” In 2017, the Oireachtas passed a new Forestry Act allowing open appeals to the granting of all forestry activity, cutting trees, planting them, thinning forests, building roads for transport. As a result of the 2017 Act, anyone in the State can appeal any licence, it costs nothing to appeal a licence and is relatively straightforward to do so. A recent analysis by the Business Post, showed that Peter Sweetman, the prominent environmentalist, has been involved in more than half of the appeals made against forestry licences in the past two and a half years. The appeals list from the Department of Agriculture names him in 351 of the 624 appeals submitted in that period. Sweetman has denied being a serial objector, telling the Business Post in an email, that he was making the appeals because the decisions of the forestry service “do not comply with the law”. Contractors who are employed to clear-fell forests on private lands are also reporting an unprecedented situation, where they are being forced to lay off skilled workers while their machinery lies idle and the repayments on these machines pile up.

A week is a long time in politics - and we have really seen that in the changes already occurring within the new government.

In a recent article on the Green Belt website, we discussed the impact and efforts Minister Cowen and Hackett had made early into their tenure.

We all hope Minister Calleary @daracalleary is at least equally as supportive of the forestry industry across Ireland. As with all Ministers, we sincerely wish them every success and offer our support in the further betterment of the State - from our perspective n the delivery of a sustainable forestry program which will continue to deliver rural employment, community enhancement and economic gains to all stakeholders in the sector.

To learn more about the options available to you as a landowner, forest owner and/ or investor, please contact your local Green Belt forester.