Manifesto calls for radical action on planting in Northern Ireland

Introducing the manifesto, James Hamilton Stubber, Northern Ireland Chair of Confor, says: “In Northern Ireland, the creation of productive forestry, and the annual rate of other tree planting, have fallen well behind the rest of the United Kingdom. 

“In England, Wales and Scotland, governments have looked afresh at increasing tree planting in order to combat climate change, create green jobs for rural communities and use more wood in construction. Despite some recent encouraging signs, forestry policy in Northern Ireland has not kept pace with emerging thinking. Forestry and woodlands in general are not considered seriously within any future rural land use policies. 

“In both Scotland and England, comprehensive strategies, setting out long-term visions for trees, woodland and productive forestry, have been published and endorsed. Here in Northern Ireland, the most recent strategy was published in 2006.” 

He says planting targets are falling “woefully short” of what is needed and adds: “This is occurring in the face of a growing understanding of the environmental, economic and social benefits of tree planting. Northern Ireland is simply not doing enough and needs a refreshed strategy to put forests and woodlands at the heart of rural policy-making.” 

Ross Jamieson, Director of RJ Woodland Services, which carries out forestry operations across Northern Ireland, says: “Forestry is not promoted strongly enough as a land use option. The Northern Ireland Forest Service has a big role to play in showing its economic and environmental benefits. There is very little linkage between planting trees and using wood, and climate change, and little understanding that grants are available for tree planting, which can be a profitable investment.” 

Dessy Henry, Operational Director with Scottish Woodlands Ltd, which employs 200 people across the UK and has an office in Ballymena, says:“The main challenge is the lack of financial incentives to plant on poorer-quality agricultural ground. We must change that. We need to offer farmers and landowners the option to put lower-value land to good use - to their benefit and to the benefit of the environment and rural economy.”