AgriFocus

In this episode of the AgriFocus podcast, Agriland’s Stella Meehan sits down with chairperson of Irish Forest Owners (IFO), Derek McCabe to discuss the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and the damage it caused to forestry across the country.

Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae has said that satellite data shows more than 23,000ha of forestry destroyed as a result of the hurricane force winds in January.

Now forest owners are under pressure to remove and harvest the fallen timber before it begins to rot and decay on the ground, losing value and worth as each day passes.

The government is being called upon to implement emergency measures to support and sustain the sector or at the very least reduce the paperwork involved as a temporary emergency measure.

A meeting in Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim recently attracted a crowd of 250 people were concerned and frustrated at what they feel is a lack of support or consideration for the damage and destruction which has been caused to their investment.

The fortnightly AgriFocus podcast series takes a closer look at some of the key issues that directly impact on farmers, rural communities and the agri-sector.