The Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) has voiced its concern at a decline in the number of forestry licences issued last week.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) granted 43 forestry licences in the seven days up to October 18.
That is down when compared to 56 in the previous week and 71 in the first week of the month.
"Last week, only about 40 forestry licences were issued, just nearly half of last month's peak numbers and significantly below sustainable levels.
"This sharp decline is a cause for concern as afforestation licensing levels have slipped back to where they were before the improvements in August and September, and road and felling licensing continue struggling," SEEFA said.
The latest forestry data, published by the department, shows that 9 afforestation licences were issued in the third week of October, down from the 17 licences granted in each of the first two weeks of the month.
A total of 3,990ha has been approved for planting so far this year, with 479 licences issued and a total of 514 valid applications received.
The total area planted so far this year now stands at 1,322ha, which the department noted only reflects afforestation that has been paid at first grant stage this year-to-date.
The department issued 11 private and 7 Coillte felling licences last week. 794 private and 872 Coillte felling licences have been granted year-to-date.
"Felling licences must increase rapidly. Private felling activity has been poor all year, and our industry urgently needs promotion.
"Nothing would boost our sector’s visibility more effectively than seeing lorries loaded with Irish logs on the road.
"While some weekly fluctuations are expected throughout the year, they cannot be tolerated when playing catch-up to this extent," SEEFA added.
16 licences were approved by the department last week, while so far this year 57km of forestry roads have been constructed around the country.