Forestry The Way Forward

In recent times many developed countries have viewed growth in the services sector to be the way forward. However, in an article by Joe Dermody, that appeared in the Irish Examiner on April 29th forestry could be a prosperous sector for Ireland. (Available at : http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/ifa-forestry-has-potential-to-inject-50m-into-local-communities-152912.html )


According to John Bryan, who is the IFA president; "forestry has the potential to inject €50m annually into local communities." The article states that private sector timber in Ireland is currently 200,000 cubic metres per annum. However, this figure could increase to one million cubic metres per annum by 2018, according to Mr. Bryan.

The IFA president said that "if this production potential was realised it would mean an annual injection into the local economy of in excess of €50m from timber sales. There is also the prospect of the value of down-stream processed forest products on the market."

These profit opportunities, however, are subject to government policy. According to the IFA "the Government needs to reduce the time required to get a felling license; to increase funding to support construction of essential forest road infrastructure; to support the adoption of more suitable harvesting equipment for small scale forestry and to offer enhanced training for forest owners".

One has to wonder if Ireland can regain prosperity through returning to its agricultural roots. In a modern era, where more and more graduates are entering the services sector, should we be training students for careers in areas such as forestry instead? It is clear, however, that if timber production can increase substantially by 2018, the sector has the potential to create much needed employment and wealth in local communities.