Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Written Answers. - Forestry Products Accreditation.

John Gormley

Question:

123 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the Forestry Commission in the United Kingdom relative to the accreditation of forest products by the International Forestry Stewardship Council; his views on whether this decision will have implications for the viability of the Irish forestry industry as it currently operates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22144/98]

John Gormley

Question:

124 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his Department is in contact with the International Forestry Stewardship Council with a view to securing accreditation for Irish forest products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22145/98]

John Gormley

Question:

125 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on the desirability of seeking accreditation from the International Forestry Stewardship Council for all Irish forest products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22146/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 to 125, inclusive, together.

I am aware of the International Forestry Stewardship Council's role in accreditation and that the issues of certification has been discussed in the context of the UK forestry standard prepared by the UK Forestry Commission and the forest service of the Department of Agriculture, Northern Ireland. Environmental accreditation schemes work on the basis of voluntary undertakings by producers to reassure consumers as to the environmental quality of its products. I am not in a position to recommend any particular scheme. However, the representatives of the Forestry Stewardship Council in Ireland will be aware of the Government's commitment to the development of sustainable forestry which is compatible with the protection of the environment, subject to guidelines, codes of best forest practice and the law. Any accreditation scheme which takes on board Government policy on sustainable forestry should pose no problems to Irish forest products.

The European Union support the principle of sustainable forest management. The issue of certification is under debate at EU level. While there is no EU policy on certification at the moment, indications are that the EU would prefer to see a framework approach for accreditation rather than specify any particular accreditation scheme such as that of the International Forestry Stewardship Council.

While the Government is committed to ensuring that Irish timber conforms to the highest standards, I do not have a day-to-day responsibility in respect of individual forest products companies. I have not received any reports as to a forest company losing orders on the international market because of the lack of international recognised accreditation in relation to its products.