Cork had the highest afforestation area in 2020 at 293ha followed by Kerry at 289ha, according to the latest forest statistics from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Minister of State Pippa Hackett, today (Wednesday, June 30) announced the publication of the department’s annual Forest Statistics Report for 2021.

The report shows that during 2020, 2,434ha of new forests were created. Over half (50.8%) of forests are in public ownership, with the remainder in private ownership.

Farmers have accounted for 81% of private lands afforested between 1980 and 2020.

Launching the report, the minister commented: “As I engage with all stakeholders on the commitments in the Programme for Government and Project Woodland, it’s important to have reliable statistics to chart the progress of implementation.

"It is the definitive compendium of up-to-date information on forestry in Ireland and is the go-to reference document for anybody interested in the subject."

Minister Hackett said that the decreasing trend in the area being afforested annually is something that needs to be addressed.

She added that new forestry is essential in meeting the country's economic objectives and also climate change targets and aims in terms of enhancing biodiversity.

"The vital importance of forestry to deliver on society’s needs is well understood and the need to unlock this value into the future is clear. Therefore, the immediate priority is to address the current licencing difficulties and deliver on the objectives set-out in Project Woodland," the minister said.

She said the primary aim of the measures is to promote and enhance biodiversity, by protecting environmental resources and generating carbon sinks.

She added: “I am particularly pleased with the increase in the proportion of broadleaves afforested from 25% in 2019 to 34% in 2020. A similar increase occurred in the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme operated by my department.”

Other key statistics from Forest Statistics - Ireland 2021 include: