Minister Healy-Rae opens Talking Timber 2025 and visits windblown forests in Leitrim
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 18 Aibreán 2025
Minister of State for Forestry, Horticulture and Farm Safety, Michael Healy-Rae, today opened Talking Timber 2025. This timber marketing event is coordinated by Teagasc, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Forest Industries Ireland. The focus of the event is on supporting forest owners with conifer timber that have been impacted by recent storm events.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to supporting affected forest owners, and said:
“Since I took office, the impact of Storm Éowyn has been, and remains, my priority. This is a very timely event in that context. It is very important that forest owners are aware of how best to market their timber, and of how to get up to date information on timber markets and price trends.”
The Minister added:
“My advice to all affected forest owners is not to rush into any decisions, but to make a step-by-step plan to minimise risk and maximise the salvage value of their trees. Most forests, despite being blown, can have considerable timber value, and will retain that value for some time, in particular if the tree is still connected to the roots.”
He continued:
“The majority of forest owners have felling and thinning licences which they can use to harvest their timber. Those who have not yet applied for felling and forest road licences should do so, and once these are identified as storm damaged, they will be prioritised.”
Following the event, the Minister visited a newly planted forest in Cloonamahon, Co. Sligo, a windthrow site at Curraun, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, and Masonite Ireland Ltd. in Carrick-on-Shannon. The Minister said:
“I have already met with many community representatives and farmers to hear first-hand what the situation is like on the ground, and visiting these sites has given me further insight into the challenges faced by owners, as well as the potential opportunities for these owners to market their timber. It has also reinforced my hope that farmers will continue to plant new forests. I am determined to work with all in the sector to address the effects of Storm Éowyn and to secure a future for forestry in Ireland.”
Notes
Talking Timber 2025 took place on Tuesday, 15 April 2025 at the Clayton Hotel in Ballinode, Co. Sligo from 9.30am to 2.30pm. The focus of the event was on marketing of post-storm conifer timber.