In a circular issued by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry Section today, it is confirmed that existing in-date clearfell licences (including thin and clearfell licences) may be used to clear and remove trees where the forest plots covered by these licences have windblown damage caused by storms Darragh and/or Éowyn.
The existing conditions of the licence shall apply to any cutting, felling and removal of timber, including any timing restrictions in the licence conditions that might apply for the protection of bird species.
Forest owners are advised to review circular no. 5 that was issued today which also outlines the notification forms required.
The other details in this circular regarding re-planting is also included in the circular.
“I want to welcome this announcement which will cut through some of the red tape involved” declared Sligo-Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan.
“There is a huge amount of timber down right across the northwest and needs to be cleared without delay hopefully this clarification will allow owners with thin and clearfell licences to act without delay.
“I want to thank the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and Minister of State, Healy-Rae who were involved in this important decision”, concluded Deputy Feighan.
