Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
230. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a copy of the Principles of Sustainability with which Coillte should adhere in order to comply with their commitment to sustainable forest management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/13]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
Coillte’s forests are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), under which, I understand, Coillte are required to comply with a number of principles and criteria. The FSC was established in 1993 as an international voluntary non-profit making organisation, to support environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests. They developed a set of 10 international principles and criteria (P&C) for responsible forest management. In many countries, these international P&C have been adapted locally and developed into National P&C. The Forest Stewardship Council (Ireland) website contains the Irish FSC standard (May 2012) available for download.
In addition to the requirements associated with FSC certification, Coillte are required to comply with felling licence conditions. All tree felling is regulated by the Forestry Act 1946 and woodland owners are required to comply with best forest practice and environmental guidelines.
