'Wealth of information' in 2023 forestry yearbook just launched

Minister with responsibility for Forestry at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has launched the 2023 ITGA Forestry and Timber Yearbook.

She said: "The yearbook provides a wealth of information for those already involved in forestry and especially those considering planting in 2023. People across the country are currently considering planting trees following the announcement of the new €1.3bn forestry programme last month. It has never been more important for us to work together to encourage people to plant the right tree, in the right place."

The Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) chairman, Brendan Lacey, added: "As a sector, forestry is ideally placed to form a core part of agriculture in Ireland, enhancing its sustainability through offsetting agricultural emissions, sequestering carbon and increasing biodiversity. Forestry is central to achieving our national climate change mitigation, biodiversity, water protection and rural development goals."

He outlined that the yearbook highlights the many attributes of forestry including its economic, environmental and social importance through the articles and statistical information in the publication.

Donal Whelan of the Irish Timber Growers Association said that the 2023 Forestry and Timber Yearbook is one of the most important sources of information for the sector and it also highlights the sector’s profile nationally. The yearbook contains 208 pages of invaluable information for timber growers, forestry professionals, the timber industry and the general public.

Brendan Lacey also thanked Coillte, the Murray Timber Group and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the main sponsors, and the various companies, organisations and individuals who continue to support its publication.

Yearbooks can be ordered online at www.forestryyearbook.ie or by contacting ITGA at 17 Castle Street, Dalkey, Co Dublin; email info@itga.ie