The ongoing delay in issuing felling licences has the forestry sector on its knees, worsened by serial objectors and a backlog in processing of applications by the Department, forestry plant hire contractor Derek Lenihan told the Irish Farmers Journal. Forestry contractors from across the country have raised concerns around prolonged delays in licences being issued by the Department of Agriculture.
The ongoing delay in issuing felling licences has the forestry sector on its knees, worsened by serial objectors and a backlog in processing of applications by the Department, forestry plant hire contractor Derek Lenihan told the Irish Farmers Journal.
Forestry contractors from across the country have raised concerns around prolonged delays in licences being issued by the Department of Agriculture.
It has been estimated that 1.1m cubic metres of logs are currently held up in appeals on felling licences and road permits. Currently, objections can be made by any member of the public free of charge, however a draft bill is on the table to align the licensing and appeals system with other similar planning processes.
Shane O’Sullivan, Clerihan, Co Tipperary - Shane O’Sullivan Haulage Ltd
Shane O’Sullivan, Clerihan, Co Tipperary - Shane O'Sullivan Haulage Ltd
“We are full time harvesting for Coillte, the volume of timber just isn’t there at the minute and we have been forced into cutting next year’s timber already.
“Any Tom, Dick, and Harry can object to felling licences or road developments being approved, which has led to huge delays.
“I have €800k worth of machinery and three drivers working for me. If things don’t pick up it’s looking as if I will have to let one of my drivers go.
“We all have families to provide for and the last thing I want to do is let people go during these uncertain times.”
Derek Lenihan, Killarney, Co Kerry - Derek Lenihan Plant Hire Ltd
Derek Lenihan, Killarney, Co Kerry - Derek Lenihan Plant Hire Ltd
“These serial objectors have the forestry sector on its knees.
“At the start of August, in one day alone, objections stalled the harvesting of 100,000m3 of timber, enough to supply 5,000 homes.
“There should be a fee to submit an objection – this would be a great first step in speeding up the felling licence process.
“We lay the roads in various forests and tidy the land and waterways following the timber harvest. I currently have four members of staff and last week, I had to put the lads on a forced holiday.
“We are just scraping by and it is hard to know if we will see the end of the year. The Government must step in and resolve this issue with objections and delays in felling licences.
“It’s the sawmills I’m mainly concerned about. Come January 2021, they won’t have a stick of any kind to process.”
Gerry McMorrow, Dowra, Co Leitrim - McMorrow Haulage and Firewood
Gerry McMorrow, Dowra, Co Leitrim - McMorrow Haulage and Firewood
“I employ 42 people. These issues within the forestry sector must be resolved as soon as possible. Come November, there won’t be any timber to haul. We saw this coming early on in the year and had planned to go to Italy on a six month hauling and wood chipping contract. We bought a new wood chipper for the trip, but unfortunately due to COVID-19, we couldn’t go. The delay in forestry licences has hit the whole chain. Someone in Cork should not be able to object to forestry in Leitrim and vice versa. The powers that be must intervene. The bottom line is, these forestry licences need to be granted before jobs are lost.”
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