Forestry workshop to look at sustainable use of Irish farmland

THE Teagasc local advisory office on the old Dublin road in Enniscorthy will provide the venue for a forestry advisory clinic on Thursday, January 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The clinic will be part of a nationwide series of one-to-one workshops to promote the establishment of forestry as a sustainable use of land on Irish farms.

Those interested in availing of the clinic will be able to meet in private with an experienced forestry advisor by appointment.

A spokesperson for Teagasc said the forestry programme offers landowners and existing forest owners many options in terms of establishing forestry initiatives and there are also attractive grants and annual premium categories available.

Speaking ahead of the forthcoming clinic Dr Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of Teagasc’s Forestry Development Department, said landowners consider forestry for a number of reasons.

She also said changing the use of land to forestry raises many questions and it’s hoped the clinic will provide answers to a lot of those questions for landowners.

‘It is a great opportunity for farmers to understand the requirements of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and other farm schemes before establishing a forest,’ she said.

‘These Teagasc forestry clinics provide an ideal opportunity to flesh out the details of how forestry might work for you,’ she added.

Prior booking is essential and this can be done through www.teagasc.ie/forestryclinics.