REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Anti-afforestation campaign threatens new planting Seán Lenihan Kestrel Forestry Consultants
T
he campaign against afforestation, especially coniferous afforestation, in Ireland shows no signs of abating. In certain counties like Leitrim and Sligo there has been an intensification of the rhetoric all through 2018 and 2019. It is generally accepted now that it is having a detrimental effect on planting levels. It may not be the only factor causing a major reduction in afforestation, but its impact is certainly not insignificant. The main focus of the attacks is not surprisingly Sitka spruce, and the volume of misinformation, half-truths and statements with no scientific basis concerning the species continues to appear almost on a weekly basis in the media. Emotive, exaggerated and sensational catch phrases are being used liberally and often, and are gaining credence among the general public as both the mainstream media and social media seem to be lacking any desire to filter the message prior to publication. It has to be stated clearly, how-
ever, that the industry’s failure to respond, and vigorously challenge the rhetoric has not helped, and this lack of response has been dismal and disappointing to say the least. A wide range of groups, associations and even political parties are now aligned against Sitka spruce, these include:
Save Leitrim According to their website, the group which was established in 2018 claims that “it was set up to fight for the survival and future of Co. Leitrim, which is being decimated by the relentless, subsidised Sitka spruce afforestation programme”. The website encourages members to raise multiple objections to proposed new forests and includes instructions for members and nonmembers on how to object to afforestation applications with a list of criteria/grounds for objection. It also has a sample objection letter published on the website which people can utilise when they are objecting to a proposed afforestation licence.
against Sitka spruce - even organising a special conference in 2018 where the guest speaker was Luke Ming Flanagan MEP. Another MEP from the northwest Marian Harkin has also engaged with the INHFA and issued anti-Sitka spruce statements including the following: “One EU official described Leitrim as a national sacrifice zone for Sitka spruce and I fully agree with this sentiment”
Sinn Fein One of Ireland’s best known political parties have been to the forefront in the campaign against Sitka. In 2018 they called for afforestation applications to be included in the full planning permission process similar to housing and other infrastructural developments. In August 2019 they went even further by demanding that Sitka spruce be blacklisted, and deemed an invasive species by the Department of Agriculture, and for the payment of grants and premiums for coniferous afforestation to be stopped.
Green Party Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) INHFA was established in 2015 to represent Irish hill farmers in all aspects of farming and have been particularly vocal at protest meetings
Not a surprise that the Green Party are against Sitka spruce, but they recently got a motion passed in Dáil Eireann in October calling for a move away from monocultural Sitka spruce plantations. What makes this ironic is that monocultural Sitka plantations have not been established in over 20 years, as all new plantations since 1998 have had to feature 15% broadleaves, 10-15% biodiversity and 10-20% conifers other that Sitka or Lodgepole pine.
Extinction Rebellion The latest group to join the fray is Extinction Rebellion some of whose supporters at a recent protest march in Dublin featured a banner stating “NO MORE SITKA”. Considering that climate change is at the core of Extinction Rebellion’s raison d’etre, and tree planting is one of the accepted means of countering climate change it seems bizarre to have a banner demanding a cessa46 FORESTRY & TIMBER NEWS • December 2019
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