PRESS RELEASE
From Friends of the Irish Environment - 5 MARCH 2007
TREE WEEK CALL FOR POLICY CHANGE AFTER EU COURT RULING
Irish forestry policy is now urgently in need of a full scale review, according the to environmental lobby group Friends of the Irish Environment. The group claims a recent Judgement of the European Court will have ‘profound’ effects on forestry.
‘Current policy dates from ten years ago and doesn’t take into account of our new understandings of the importance of native biodiversity. Plantings are still predominantly non-native conifers.’
‘We are required to reforest almost 10,000 hectares a year which is now being felled. Much of this is land that was planted for rural employment and has seriously damaged our native species and habitats.. More than 70% of some of these sites are being replanting with the environmentally damaging sitka spruce when they should be returned to native biodiversity.’
A review of the Forestry Acts which requiring replanting has been ongoing for 8 years but it excludes a review of Coilte Teo – the State Forestry Board – commercial object.
A recent Judgement against Ireland by the European Court made it clear that the Irish law, which covered only ‘deliberate’ damage to protected species, must be changed to include ‘unintentional’ damage to our biodiversity.
This ruling has major significance for forestry, as well as for agriculture, turbary, aquaculture and fisheries. An independent review of Irish forestry policy is now a matter of urgency.
Further information: Tony Lowes 027 73131 / 087 2176316
EU JUDGMENT OF THE COURT, 11 January 2007. Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations –Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora – Protection of species. Case C‑183/05
From Friends of the Irish Environment - 5 MARCH 2007
TREE WEEK CALL FOR POLICY CHANGE AFTER EU COURT RULING
Irish forestry policy is now urgently in need of a full scale review, according the to environmental lobby group Friends of the Irish Environment. The group claims a recent Judgement of the European Court will have ‘profound’ effects on forestry.
‘Current policy dates from ten years ago and doesn’t take into account of our new understandings of the importance of native biodiversity. Plantings are still predominantly non-native conifers.’
‘We are required to reforest almost 10,000 hectares a year which is now being felled. Much of this is land that was planted for rural employment and has seriously damaged our native species and habitats.. More than 70% of some of these sites are being replanting with the environmentally damaging sitka spruce when they should be returned to native biodiversity.’
A review of the Forestry Acts which requiring replanting has been ongoing for 8 years but it excludes a review of Coilte Teo – the State Forestry Board – commercial object.
A recent Judgement against Ireland by the European Court made it clear that the Irish law, which covered only ‘deliberate’ damage to protected species, must be changed to include ‘unintentional’ damage to our biodiversity.
This ruling has major significance for forestry, as well as for agriculture, turbary, aquaculture and fisheries. An independent review of Irish forestry policy is now a matter of urgency.
Further information: Tony Lowes 027 73131 / 087 2176316
EU JUDGMENT OF THE COURT, 11 January 2007. Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations –Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora – Protection of species. Case C‑183/05
