Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
1548. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a national forest certification scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41995/21]
View answerForest certification has become widely accepted as being a necessary requirement for forest owners, not only to demonstrate sustainable forest management but also to gain access to markets that are increasingly demanding certified timber. Corporate and public procurement policies worldwide are driving growth in demand for credibly certified materials.
Ireland’s entire Coillte forest estate is certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification ( PEFC) standards. Certification in the private forest estate is low by comparison and only a small number of privately owned forests are FSC and or PEFC certified.
In order to help forest owners to certify their forests, the Department funded a pilot Certification Scheme which was completed successfully in 2018. Two groups were funded under this pilot Certification Scheme and both received certification at the time.
To facilitate forest owners in the certification process this funded project provided a wide range of standard templates and information which is available to download from the publicly accessible web page at the following link;
www.groupcertification.ie/resources.
While forest certification is a voluntary matter for forest owners, it is desirable that there would be an increased uptake from growers and support and involvement of all stakeholders.
Forest Certification is also assisted by my Department through the funding of Forest Management Plans for grant aided forests which is an important prerequisite during the independent certification process.
In addition, COFORD via my Department has commissioned a study on private forest certification in Ireland which is currently in the process of being carried out. The study involves engagement with stakeholders. This study will be made available once published later this year.
The Department has also approved funding to PEFC Ireland to part-fund the establishment of a working group comprised of industry stakeholders, in order to review the PEFC Irish Forest Certification Standard and the PEFC Ireland Scheme for sustainable Forest Management.
All these initiatives by the Department recognise the importance of forest certification and complement other licensing requirements which demonstrate sustainable forest management.
