Forestry Network Newsletter

// FNN 138: Parliamentary Replies

Parliamentary replies: revealing and concealing: Broadleaves planted by the Department of the Environment; Peat soil planting statistics. Reply to Mr. Nicolas Cotter. Response to Mr. Fergal Mulloy. Coillte profits rise by 36% to €25.5m in 2003. Coillte's 36pc profit rise to €25.5m includes €15m sales. Paradise lost - with napalm. Heat finally gets to Tree of Guernica. Farmleigh ancient oak felled for TV cameras. 3% decrease in Irish forestry cover in 1990s?

FOREST NETWORK NEWSLETTER
ISSUE NUMBER 138
MAY 5 2004
WEEKLY ON WEDNESDAYS
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1. INTRODUCTION
Parliamentary replies: revealing and concealing

2. RECENT PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS
Broadleaves planted by the Department of the Environment
Peat soil planting statistics

3. LETTERS
Reply to Mr. Nicolas Cotter
Response to Mr. Fergal Mulloy

4. NEWS
Coillte profits rise by 36% to €25.5m in 2003
Coillte's 36pc profit rise to €25.5m includes €15m sales
Paradise lost - with napalm
Heat finally gets to Tree of Guernica
Farmleigh ancient oak felled for TV cameras
3% decrease in Irish forestry cover in 1990s

5. EVENTS



1. INTRODUCTION

Parliamentary Replies: Revealing and Concealing

This week's answers to written Parliamentary Questions by the Minister for Agriculture both reveal and conceal.

They reveal that there are no significant amounts of broadleaf planting taking place by the Government outside of the grant aided planting recorded in the Department's statistics. In fact they show that over the five year period 1997, 2002 just 103.5 hectares of broadleaves were so planted, an average of 17.25 hectares a year.

Yet on the national statistics the Departments states that a further 6% of the national planting was broadleaves planted for 'amenity purposes and along rivers'.

We have left no stone unturned in seeking the 900 hectares of broadleaf plantings outside the grant system that the Minister claims brings the national planting statistics up by an extra 6% every single year. Local Authorities have no knowledge of anything like this scale of planting, and neither does the Government, on the basis of this reply.

We believe the Minister has counted the broadleaf element of commercial plantations twice - once as part of the national broadleaf statistics, and then again by 'drilling back' into the files and extracting the same areas to be counted this time as 'amenity purposes and along rivers'. That is what FNN suggests the Minister's reply reveals.

What the Minister's reply conceals is the amount of afforestatioon that is taking place on peat soils. FNN has been unable to source statistics anywhere which differentiation between the trees planted on mineral soils and those on peat soils, a critical point as it is generally accepted that the disturbance of peat soils frees more carbon than the trees sequester.

This is a key question because in spite of scientific uncertainty about forestry as a 'carbon sink' [see FNN 137 NEWS: 'Carbon Sequestration Disallowed'], successive Ministers and Mr. Peter Bacon, who is reviewing Irish forestry policy, have been intent to justify Irish forestry on the economic value of the sinks in any future carbon trading.

There is a simple question on the Application Form for forestry grants that ask if the plantation is on mineral soil (check here) or peat soils (check here).

And yet in this written parliamentary reply to Green Party Leader Trevor Sergent, the Minister has informed the Deputy that the statistic detailing the extent of plantings on peat soils is 'not readily available'.

This is difficult enough to understand.

More difficult is how the Minister can then assure us that the Forest Service uses 'an averaging approach to take account of differences in rates of carbon emissions and sequestration between mineral and peat soils'.

How can the Forest Service and their Minister use an 'averaging approach' if the statistics giving how many hectares of afforestation are on peat soils are 'not readily available'?

If the Irish authorities are to persist in using carbon sequestration as an argument for Irish forestry, then they must make available the statistics on which their forecasts are based, if they exist.



2. PARLIAMENTARY REPLIES

225. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will provide a breakdown distinguishing between afforestation on peat soils and those planted on mineral soils according to the grant application forms in 1997, 2003 in order to accurately assess the contribution of afforestation to carbon sequestration. [11313/04]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh): The information requested is not readily available. However, it should be noted that the contribution of afforestation to carbon sequestration uses an averaging approach to take account of differences in rates of carbon emissions and sequestration between mineral and peat soils. Current scientific opinion is that emissions of carbon dioxide from peat following afforestation may be balanced by reductions in emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas which has a far greater effect on global warming. I would also point out that planting of peat sites has declined to very low levels since the early 1990s due to a site productivity requirement for grant aid and the general shift to farmer based afforestation.


779. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will supply a list of the significant amount, in area and location, of environmental broadleaf tree planting undertaken by D??chas and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 1997 - 2003. [11310/04]

780. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will supply a list of the areas and locations of the environmental conifer tree planting undertaken by Duchas and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and by local authorities in 1997
- 2003. [11311/04]

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. Cullen):
I propose to take Questions Nos. 779 and 780 together.
My Department's national parks and wildlife service is responsible for the management of woodlands in State-owned natural heritage sites. In general, such woodlands contain large numbers of native tree species. Very little formal planting takes place at these sites, as natural regeneration is the preferred method of increasing the numbers of broad-leaved trees. However, at sites where exotic conifers are the dominant species, a programme of conifer clearance is ongoing and, when clear-felled, these areas are generally fenced off to allow for natural regeneration of native tree species.

Between 1997 and 2003, planting of broadleaved species took place as follows:
Glengarriff Wood Nature Reserve, County Cork, 130.6 hectares of this wood has been clear-felled in the period under discussion and the area is being managed as a broadleaf plantation; 85 hectares of the clear-felled area has been planted with broadleaf, and the rest of the area is being left to natural re-generation of broadleaf species, a process which is progressing well:
Wicklow Mountains National Park, WMNP, approximately five hectares was planted at Derrybawn. Approximately six hectares of exotic species were clear-felled and replanted with native broadleaved species at Deputy's pass. Some 4.9 hectares of exotic species was clear-felled and replanted with broadleaved native species at St. Saviour's Wood. Approximately two hectares of
mixed native broadleaf's and hedgerows was planted on areas around the WMNP offices at Kilafin, Laragh, County Wicklow.
Other plantings include, some 0.5 hectares of oak species was planted in mitigation of trees cleared for the construction of the Glen of the Downs road scheme.
Approximately ten hectares of exotic species was cleared from the Vale of Clara Nature Reserve, County Wicklow, and natural regeneration of native species is being allowed to take place here. Approximately 750 broadleaf trees have been planted at Wexford Wildfowl Reserve.
The NPWS does not generally engage in the planting of non-native conifer trees, although small quantities of yew and Scots pine are planted from time to time. My Department does not have details of tree planting by local authorities.



3. LETTERS

Response to Nicholas Cotter in FNN 136

In FNN 136, Nicholas Cotter shot from the hip and made wild generalisations which undermine his case. Many of the water quality problems and impacts on wildlife associated with the type of forestry practised here arise in hilly, blanket bog areas, which are more vulnerable to disruption than other places. Forestry also tends to be a problem on species-rich grassland and heather moorland, where some plants and animals can't adapt to forested habitats, and they will tend to disappear. If forestry is directed away from these areas, the negative impacts will be minimised. Unfortunately, this is still happening, albeit to a lesser extent in recent years.

If we want to see more forestry, as I do, and also wish to see environmental quality maintained or improved, then we have to accept some compromises. In order to do this, the forestry industry needs to have a better understanding of how forestry interacts with the environment, or at least be willing to listen to those who know something about it.

The lack of knowledge in this area takes my breath away, and I have read and heard statements made at every level which are 'junk' science at best. If I as a layman made similar claims in the legal or medical spheres, I would be told plainly that I didn't know what I was talking about. One can't just talk about 'forestry'. We have to qualify it by talking about the type of forestry practised, its extent and where it is located. All three factors can have profound effects on the environment.

We have a wonderful opportunity to reforest this country. Of course mistakes will be made, but to continue making them in the teeth of evidence to the contrary is exasperating. To continue planting such a high proportion of quick rotation conifers grown and managed for clearfelling, in environmentally vulnerable areas, is a big mistake.
This type of forestry does little or nothing for the landscape or the natural environment. And doing this when even the Timber Industry Development Group has questioned this strategy - on purely economic grounds - compounds the error.

The direction that forestry takes is very dependent on how and where the grants of public money are directed. If the incentives are pitched to encourage environmentally benign forestry practices, then the conflict will be reduced.

My vision involves a compromise - we need to produce marketable timber, and we need a much larger timber reserve for many generations ahead. The strategy for the future has to be a healthy mix of softwoods and hardwoods, planted away from vulnerable areas, and grown harmoniously with our surroundings. If huge swathes of the country are covered in quick-growing softwood production by the middle of this century, we will not be making the best of this wonderful opportunity.

Yours, etc

David Hickie


Response to Mr. Fergal Mulloy in FNN 136

A Eagarth??ir, a chara,

EU DISALLOWS 400K EURO COFORD CLAIM

You are to be congratulated for publishing Mr. Fergal Mulloy's letter in FNN 137. Obviously you do agree with his sentiments but it's good that you provide an open forum.. I presume that he has responded to the FNN appeal for subscriptions.

Mr. Mulloy, the first and former director of COFORD, might like to comment on the following excerpt from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources memorandum, dated 7 November 2003 to the Public Accounts Committee.

Le gach dea ghu??,

Éamonn Ó Flannagáin, ACMA,
eamonn_oflannagain@hotmail.com


Excerpt - Department Communications, Marine and Natural Resources memo.

"COFORD does not have a separate legal entity. It is an operational Division of the Department. A Memorandum of Understanding setting out the role of the body and its relationship with the Department is in the process of being finalised.

The first director was seconded from the Forest Service when COFORD was set up in 1993. The executive consisted of 4 members of staff including the Director. The current posts in COFORD are Director, Operations Manager, Research Programme Manager, Technology Transfer Co-ordinator and Financial Administrator. The posts of Operations Mgr, Research Programme Manager and, Technology Transfer Co- ordinator have been filled by way of competitive open competition.

All public procurement procedures are followed in the agency and COFORD complies with the standards laid down in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

After discussion with the Department, the EU Commission is proposing to disallow EU funds of 397,000 Euro from the final claim under the Operational Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (OPARDF) 1994-1999 on the basis that COFORD salaries are in effect civil servants salary costs and are therefore ineligible expenditure for grant aid under the Programme."



4. NEWS

Coillte profits rise by 36% to €25.5m in 2003

Coillte, the State forestry group, has reported a strong increase in profits for 2003, when the group made €25.5 million.
The profit figure represents an increase of 36 per cent on the previous year. Turnover was up 19 per cent, to €172 million.
The group performed solidly in most of its business areas. There was increased revenue from log sales and a significantly improved performance at oriented strand board manufacturer SmartPly Europe Ltd, which was recently acquired.
Other factors behind the strong results were increased efficiency and good results in its land-based businesses, Coillte said in a statement.
The improvement was offset by losses in the Nurseries and Planting Business Units arising from cutbacks in the national forestry programme in 2003.
In the group's forestry business, Coillte Forests, revenue from timber sales increased by 13 per cent on 2002.
Performance varied in 2003 across Coillte Enterprises, which manages Coillte's non-forestry businesses.
Significant progress was made in the group's land-based businesses including the sale of valuable wind farm sites, the sale of non-strategic property and the leasing of radio mast sites.
Planning permission was received for the development of four wind farm sites, totalling 140 mega watts of capacity, on which co-development agreements had been completed in 2002.
Contracts were also signed with third-party wind farm developers to sell or lease three wind farm sites.
Good progress was also made in the Forestry Services, Wood Products, Leisure and Recreation, Tree Services and Landscaping businesses, according to the group.
The accounts published yesterday show that Coillte chief executive, Mr Martin Lowery, was paid a salary of €191,000 in 2003 and a total remuneration package of €253,000.
The average number of people employed by the group during the year was 1,213.
Staff costs were €53.6 million.
Colm Keena
© The Irish Times


Coillte's 36pc profit rise to €25.5m includes €15m sales

STATE forestry company Coillte reported a 36pc rise in profits for 2003 to €25.5m. However, most of this, €15m, came from profits on the disposals of land and other assets.
The group said the improvements in some key areas, such as its SmartPly oriented strand board manufacturing plant, were offset by a downturn in others.
"This improvement was offset somewhat by losses in the nurseries and planting business units arising from cutbacks in the national forestry programme in 2003," the company said.
Revenue from timber sales increased by 13pc on 2002 as the volume of sawlog sold reached record levels, increasing by 6pc on 2002 volumes.
However, the volumes of pulpwood sold fell by 16pc.
Waterford-based SmartPly, which was set up in a joint venture with Louisiana Pacific in the late 1990s, is now owned outright by Coillte.
A major overhaul of the business conducted two years ago helped reduce the subsidiary's losses by 50pc in 2002 and moved SmartPly into profit in 2003, a year ahead of target, Coillte said.
Group sales reached a total of €172m for the year, up from €144m in 2002, while the operating profit was €33m. Coillte said the revenue figures reflect strong demand for logs underpinned by good markets for construction timber, stakes, fencing and lifestyle products.
Asset sales came under two headings, with sales of land realising a profit of €12.7m, and the sale of financial assets chipping in a further €2.68m.
Chief executive Martin Lowery said Coillte is embarking on a strategy of maximising the value of its huge land bank, and has entered into several joint ventures.
Pat Boyle


3.5 Paradise lost - with napalm

To Australia's shame, loggers are being allowed to destroy Tasmania's extraordinary primeval forest

To Australia's shame, loggers are being allowed to destroy Tasmania's extraordinary primeval forest Richard Flanagan Wednesday April 21, 2004 The Guardian I am writing this in our autumn, once Tasmania's most beautiful season. But the china-blue skies are now nicotine scummed, as smoke from the burning of old-growth forest floats over Hobart, an inescapable reminder that the destruction of ancient woodland - like no other in the world - is accelerating. In Tasmania, an island the size of Ireland whose primeval forests astonished 19th-century Europeans, an incomprehensible ecological tragedy is being played out. Recent calls from Britain to boycott Tasmanian goods and tourism are not going to end logging. But in an Australian election year, with the forests emerging as a major issue, they form part of a chorus of international condemnation that shows Australians that the forests are not just a natural resource, but are globally significant wild lands. Rainforest is being clearfelled and then burnt with napalm. The world's tallest hardwood trees, eucalyptus regnans, are being reduced to mud and ash. And the monocultural plantations that replace the old growths soak up so much groundwater that rivers are drying up. Compound 1080, a lethal poison, is laid to kill off native animals that might graze plantation seedlings. In the resulting slaughter, wallabies, kangaroos, possums, and protected species such as wombats, bettongs and potoroos, die in slow agony. The survival of extraordinary creatures such as the giant Tasmanian freshwater crayfish - the largest in the world - is in doubt because of logging. Scientists warn that numerous insect species still unrecorded are disappearing in the conflagration. Local people are finding their water contaminated with atrazine, a potent weedkiller. Logging is an industry driven solely by greed. It prospers with government support and subsidies, and it is accelerating its rate of destruction, so that Tasmania is now the largest hardwood chip exporter in the world. And Gunns, the largest logging company in Australia with a monopoly in Tasmania, is making record profits selling these forests as woodchips, which are in turn made into paper and cardboard. But the woodchippers are destroying not only Tasmania's natural heritage, but also its parliament, its polity, its media and its society. The close relationship which leading Tasmanian politicians enjoy with Gunns, goes beyond sizeable donations to both major parties; it has given rise to a political culture of bullying, cronyism and threats, a culture that allowed the state's electoral system, under a 1997 Liberal-Labour deal, to be altered to minimise Green representation. Because of the forest battle, a subtle fear has entered Tasmanian public life; it stifles dissent and is conducive to the abuse of power. To question or to comment is to invite the possibility of ostracism and unemployment. The reality, relentlessly denied with lies, is that logging old growth brings neither wealth nor jobs to impoverished rural communities. Most wealth made out of woodchips flows out of the state; less than 15% of Gunns' profits stay in Tasmania, which remains the poorest Australian state. Contrary to the government's claim that 10,000 jobs depend on old-growth logging, John Gay, Gunns' managing director, recently admitted that only 480 jobs were at stake. However, the giving away of such an extraordinary resource does threaten Tasmania's broader economic prospects. Key industries in which job growth is concentrated, such as tourism and fine foods and wines, trade as much on the island's pristine image as they do on the products they sell, and there is growing concern at the damage being done to Tasmania's name by images of smouldering forest. Since woodchipping began 32 years ago, Tasmanians have watched as one extraordinary place after another has been sacrificed. Beautiful places, holy places, lost not only to them, but for ever. They overwhelmingly want the practice of old-growth logging ended - Wilderness Society polls show that 69% of Tasmanians are opposed to the practice. But with both major political parties in Tasmania as one in their rigid support of Gunns and old-growth logging, Tasmanians cannot stop this coalition of greed and power from within their island. Change can only be brought about by the Australian government, and it will only act when the issue becomes one of inescapable national shame. Of course it can be argued that the destruction of one more unique piece of our natural world, while regrettable, is small change next to the horror of Madrid, or the tragedy of Iraq. But in the lineaments of the struggle in a distant island, it is possible to see a larger battle, the same battle the world over - that between truth and power. G?ºnter Grass, writing of Tasmania's forests, has described their destruction as an aspect of the same attitude that led to Nazi book-burnings. Could it be that, when all our skies appear to be darkening, the great forests of Tasmania are a symbol of hope for us all? ¬? Richard Flanagan's most recent novel is Gould's Book of Fish jane.novak@macmillan.com.au
© The Guardian


3.6 Heat finally gets to Tree of Guernica

THE Tree of Guernica, a symbol of Basque freedom and sovereignty, is dead.
It survived the Spanish Civil War bombing of the town made famous by Picasso's eponymous painting, but finally succumbed to, of all things, a bout of unusually hot weather.
News of a tree rarely prompts national newspapers to devote articles about its demise on the obituary pages, but that happened in Spain yesterday as Basques face up to an uncertain political - and treeless - future.
The 146-year-old oak was actually at least the third known Tree of Guernica, in a tradition that stretches back to the Middle Ages. Beneath their mighty boughs successive kings of Spain have had to swear the fueros - a centuries-old pact that guarantees Basque fiscal and political autonomy from the Spanish crown. To this day, Basque political nationalism draws its strength from its leafy shade and the "lehendekari", or prime minister of the autonomous Basque region, is sworn into office with a hand on its trunk, reciting: "Humble before God, standing on the Basque land . . . "
Therein lies the problem. The change in the Spanish Government this month has raised the prospect of a difficult renegotiation of Basque freedoms from Madrid, in which the nationalists seek independence in all but name.
The Basques' more romantic supporters will be concerned that without their tree the talks will swing in favour of the Socialists in Madrid. It will also take months to replant a healthy tree. (©The Times, London)
David Sharrock
© Irish Independent



350-year-old tree felled for cameras at Farmleigh gala


AN ancient oak tree that graced the front lawns of Farmleigh was chopped down last week to give TV cameras better pictures of the government mansion, which was a central part of yesterday's EU celebrations.
The tree - one of a pair of 350-year-old Irish oaks - was about 200 yards from the former Guinness mansion, where the EU heads of state dined last night.
Because it blocked TV signals and cameras between the press centre and Farmleigh it was cut down.
Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said the action reflected very badly on the Irish presidency of the EU and if someone was looking for signs of concern for the natural heritage, they would see this as a destructive act for very minor reasons if found to be true.
Mr Sargent said he would raise the issue with Minister of State Tom Parlon, who is responsible for the Office of Public Works (OPW). It seemed to be an act of vandalism for the sake of a camera angle. He said this was from a Government that brought in water cannons to protect against vandalism.
Some further questions needed to be asked of Mr Parlon and he said he could not believe that the people in the OPW, who work to protect heritage, would fell a tree of such vintage.
Fine Gael EU parliament candidate for the East constituency Mairead McGuinness said she was absolutely outraged at the move.
"There must be 500 other ways of improving camera angles without destroying a piece of our heritage, particularly in front of a highly significant historical building.
"It is an appalling example to the 10 new accession states," she added.
The Office of Public Works, on behalf of the State, purchased Farmleigh in 1999 at a cost of €29m. Since that time, the OPW has undertaken an extensive schedule of conservation and refurbishment of the buildings and surrounding lands.
The 40,000-square-foot mansion, which sits on 78 acres of land, was acquired by the State from the Guinness family. It was built in 1881 by Edward Guinness, the first Earl of Iveagh, who was famous for entertaining on a grand scale. The lavish Victorian house was constructed around an existing Georgian building.
The previous owners of Farmleigh moved to a 23,000-acre farm in Surrey following the sale of the estate to the Government. Around two thirds of Farmleigh's contents went with them, with the rest being left on an open-ended loan to the Office of Public Works.
A spokesman for the OPW could not be reached last night.
Liam Collins
© Sunday Independent


3% decrease in Irish forestry cover in 1990s

Satellite imaging by the European Environment Agency (EEA) has shown up dramatic changes in Ireland's land cover, with a 31 per cent increase in the amount given over to housing and other "artificial surfaces" during the 1990s. Frank McDonald, Environment Editor, reports.
The data also found a significant reduction of more than 7 per cent (some 240,000 acres) in the area covered by wetlands, including bogs, a trend described as "depressing" by the EEA's director-general, Dr Jacqueline McGlade.
"We're worried about the wetlands", she said. "What's happening is that conifers are being planted in wetland areas, which is not a great message for protecting ecosystems, and a pretty large chunk has been converted to agriculture."
In an interview with The Irish Times, Dr McGlade said a 35 per cent increase in arable land was largely to provide forage for animals being housed in sheds.
"That's showing a big shift in farming practices." Overall, there was a 4 per cent decrease in pasture land during the 1990s - the bulk of it accounted for "urban residential sprawl" around cities and towns as well as in rural areas which the EEA director said had reached "epidemic" proportions.
"If you look at urban sprawl, it's pasture land that's being given up - nearly 80 per cent. There's also been quite a large increase in sporting and leisure facilities, such as golf courses, which also shows up in the satellite imaging", Dr McGlade said.
Despite renewed tree-planting in recent years, a decrease of 3 per cent in the land covered by forestry was recorded by the EEA during the 1990s.
"Ireland doesn't have a lot of forests, so that's worrying", she commented.
She also warned about the effects of "a tremendous drive here to have car ownership on parity with the rest of Europe" because that would make it even harder to achieve the targets for greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.
On water quality, although Dr McGlade accepted that 70 per cent of Irish rivers are not polluted, she said it was the remaining 30 per cent that need attention, and she laid most of the blame for polluting these rivers on agriculture.
Referring to environmental reporting, she said Ireland was in the middle of an EEA league table, behind less developed countries such as Latvia, Slovenia, Estonia, Poland and Bulgaria and marginally ahead of France, Italy and Slovakia.
Dr Mary Kelly, director-general of the Environmental Protection Agency, said at least Ireland was in the top half of the league table of 35 European countries.
© The Irish Times

[Published yesterday as 'EEA satellite images reveal urban sprawl', FNN will not be alone in questioning the data and/or its interpretation. The EU funded Irish planting 1993, 2000 ranged between 12,000 and over 16,000 hectares per year and all areas felled are normally required under the legislation to be replanted. If the article is not a misrepresentation (which seems most likely) a net lose of 3% 'despite renewed tree planting in recent years' would mean that over 100,000 hectares of forestry would have had to be felled without replanting during the decade.]



EVENTS

May 14 to 16
Alternative Environmental Summit [See EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS above]

The Great Western Lakes: Ecology, Heritage, and Management
Speakers to Include:
David Cabot (author of 'Ireland, a natural history'), Martin McGarrigle (EPA, Castlebar), Vincent Roche (NW Fisheries Board), Ian Douglas (Mayo CC).
Information: email afkennedy@eircom.net
www.greatwesternlakes.org

July 12 to 16
ProForest and Ecosecurities are pleased to release further information on the 2004 Training Programme which will be held in Oxford on 12..16 July 2004.

The programme provides a range of up to date courses dealing with current issues for those involved in forest management, certification and sustainable natural resource management.

Training courses will be available in the following subject areas:
Introduction to Certification and Standards (1 day)
Forest Certification in Practice and Practical Auditing (5 days)
Responsible Purchasing in Practice, Illegal Logging, Product Tracing and Chain of Custody (2 days)
High Conservation Value Forests and Biodiversity Monitoring (1 day)
Climate Change Policy and Forests (1 day)
Forest Policy Update (1 day)
Small Forests and Group Schemes (1 day)
For further information, please contact
ProForest
58 St Aldates
OXFORD OX1 1ST
United Kingdom
Tel : +44 (0)1865 243439
Fax : +44 (0)1865 790441

September Wednesday 8th - Saturday 11th 2004
Ireland's Native Woodland Conference
Venue: Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Galway City
For Details go to www.woodlandsofireland.com under 'Events' or contact Cara Doyle, Project Co-ordinator at Woodlands of Ireland (Telephone: +353 1 2849329, Mob: +353 87 6563840 or email: woodsofireland@iol.ie).

2005
February 19 - 20
Friends of the Irish Environment Allihies Weekend
'Working Together". Workshops and Master Classes. Consensus Decision Making. The information maze. Networking, Public Participation. And much more.
admin@friendsoftheirishenvironment.net

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