Sustainable Forest Management in Ireland

Native Yew Woodland Overall Status: Bad
Courtesy NPWS ©

Old Oak Woodland Overall Status: Bad
Courtesy NPWS ©

In Ireland the principles of Sustainable Forestry Management have been enshrined into the forestry sectors standards, guidelines and regulations.

The Irish National Forest Standard, published by the Forest Service, outlines criteria and indicators relating to the national implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) (DAFM, 2015). A series of qualitative and quantitative measures are listed to measure progress of forest conditions against the practice of Sustainable Forest Management principles. In practical terms, sustainably managing a forest means forest benefits, health and productivity are maintained into the future. 

 Forest owners can apply for Forest Certification Schemes under a voluntary basis. Compliance of SFM management practices and policies are then determined through regular audit checks. This allows consumers to identify products sourced from sustainably managed forests. The two international forest certification schemes that are currently operating in Ireland are the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC). 

Ireland's Forest Service published its code for best practice report in 2000 with the objective of  expanding the national forest estate over the next  from 9% to 17% by 2030, using the principles of sustainable forest management (SFM). To date, approximately 11% of Ireland's land cover is covered in forest.

In Ireland, the establishment, management and harvesting of plantation forests for timber production dominate the forestry sector. The code of best forest practice therefore focuses on the achievement of viable forests which conform to the principles of sustainable production. (Forest Service, 2000)  Forest Service inspections are carried out by the Forest Service in both public and private forests to ensure that the Code of Best Forest Practice and Guidelines are complied with. The Code of Best Practice report outlines indicators as well as implications for successful sustainable forest management which can be viewed here. To view further Forest publications please see the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.

The adoption of Sustainable Forest Management in Ireland, has greatly strengthened environmental and social aspects of Irish forests by fundamentally changing the way with which they are managed. This demonstrates huge progress from the Ireland's previous approach to forestry which solely focused on timber production.