Join us for National Walk in the Woods Day events all around Ireland on Sunday, 9th June, 2013
Get details of when and where to meet up closest to you here: Save Our Forests of Ireland (follow the 'click here to find a walk listed in your county' link).

Read the Woodland League's associated statement here.

Dail Eireann Motion on Coillte
Above is the text of a recent Dail Eireann motion which was proposed with input from the Woodland League, expressing dismay at and opposing the proposal for the sale of the State Forestry manage by Coillte.

Letter of Protest
The Woodland league letter of protest regards Coilltes FSC ecolabel relating to its denial of Indigenous peoples rights and other breaches of the FSC process in Ireland that have continued for thirteen years culminating in a very weak FSC Ireland forest standard, which will most likely become Irelands National Forest Standard, this will be a major setback for changing forest policy in Ireland for many years to come and must be stopped. FSC international have never responded to our letter.

FSC Forest Standard
FSC Irelands proposed weak FSC forest standard, showing the dilution of FSC Principal 3 Indigenous Peoples Rights, it effectively denies the existence of Indigenous people in Ireland, therefore removing communities rights to access their forest resources as well as their rights under Brehon law, the Indigenous law code of this land. This facilitates the continuation of unbridled exploitation of public forest lands against the wishes of local communities. It will be of great benefit to private investors buying leases for harvesting rights as currently proposed, and potentially fracking companies.

Forest Policy In Ireland a Citizens Perspective

This report highlights a litany of social and environmental abuses by Coillte when in possession of their FSC ecolabel and shows the farcical nature of the FSC process in Ireland, it has been used as both a sword and a shield by Coillte against all criticism of their behaviour. The report was brought to the attention of EU commissioners in 2005 and had a positive impact on how the EU funds forestry schemes today regards environmental criteria.

Please use postal code: 1234 Having trouble signing? Click here

What You Can Do Now: Update on the sale of our forests. This .pdf document also contains information on what you can do to help.   Save Ireland's Forests Petition This is a printable version of our petition. Please feel free to download, print, distribute and gather signatures.   Flyer - Save Ireland's Forests Please print this flyer and distribute locally.

Photo taken in a wild Irish Wood, in Co. Clare on new years day 2010 by Andrew St Ledger

Support the Woodland League Petition

Please Sign this Petition, using the postal code 1234 at www.thepetitionsite.com

Background

The Irish Government is moving closer to a huge sell-off of the public forests managed by Coillte (The Irish Forestry Board) to private investors. An area greater than 1 million acres, equivalent to two medium sized counties will be lost forever. This will include some of our most valuable native woodlands, wild places and some of the last refuges of our native flora and fauna.

Interest has been expressed by Swiss finance company Helvetia Wealth - who own the International Forestry Fund (IFF) - chaired by Bertie Ahern, (ex-prime minister of Ireland) as well as The China Investment Corporation.

Please sign this petition now to tell the Irish Government that Ireland's Forests are not for sale. These forests are the inheritance of the Irish children and managed wisely can help secure Ireland's social, environmental and economic future. A strong show of support, asserting our rightful ownership of the public forests will make all the difference.

Petition Letter

To: Michael D Higgins, The President of Ireland, and the Irish Government.

We the undersigned,

Wish it be known that the public forests belong to the people of Ireland and under no circumstances should they be sold to private interests as a short-sighted economic reaction.

The economy of Ireland under the Gaelic Order was that of the forests. This great resource was the provider of raw materials, medicine, weapons, tools, charcoal and food (in the form of berries, nuts, fungi, fruit, wild animals, etc.) as well as the basis for spirituality and wisdom. No other country has as many placenames connected to the forest with as many as 40,000 still in existence. Our forests are of great cultural and economic importance, therefore in these uncertain times we must retain full control over this most precious resource.

The loss of our public forests will mean an area equivalent to two medium sized counties will be gone forever, all the potential benefits to local communities (now needed more than ever) will be lost. Access to rivers and water rights, fishing and hunting rights, wild fruits, nuts, mushrooms and basic access to nature will be removed, as well as the environmental services trees provide.

The Irish forests need to be placed in a trust to safeguard them now and into the future. We also wish to see the public forests developed and diversified to maximise their potential multiple benefits for the common good of the Nation. This should focus on the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of our neglected native tree species. The native trees of any place are scientifically recognised to be the most valuable land based habitat for biodiversity and ecosystem services.

We hope that you appreciate the seriousness of this matter, that you will reconsider any notion of selling the public forests and proceed to act in the best interests of the Irish people.

Photo, Hawthorn by Carlene Gildea

What will the Sale and Loss of Ireland's Public Forests actually mean:

• An area the size of two medium sized counties like Meath will be in Private ownership, which could entail having Private security companies with razor-wire fencing in place to prevent the sovereign citizens of Ireland accessing their old rights of way, areas of commonage, archaeological and sites of cultural significance.
  


• Some of our most valuable native woodland sites will be threatened, the last remains of our ancient wild places, the refuge of our native flora and fauna.
  


• The opportunity to transform the green desert of monocultural chemical dependent exotic species that passes for state forestry, back to a natural Native woodland model will be lost.
  


• The public will be unable to prevent unsustainable development happening in their woodlands, like quarries, windfarms, incinerators, nursing homes, golf courses, etc.
  


• All the benefits from the forests, now needed more than ever, will be removed from local communities. These include firewood, wild fruits, nuts & mushrooms and basic access to nature for walking, mountain-biking etc.
  


• Access to rivers and water rights, fishing, will also be taken away.
  

The Brian Boru Oak, Co. Clare, is believed to be over 900 years old.

Issues associated with the sale of Coillte:

• Since the McCarthy report of June 2009, the selling of Coillte, and Ireland's entire public forest estate, has been on the cards.
  


• The Woodland League, have always suspected that Coillte was set up a) as a vehicle to facilitate the extraction of huge grants from the EU, and b) to consolidate, and sell off, a major Public asset, the largest land bank.
  


• In November of 2009 disgraced ex Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was appointed chairman of a Swiss finance company with forestry interests. They have, openly expressed their interest in buying Coillte.
  


• Coillte was created in 1989 and "gifted" the land bank of the Forest Service, (up till then managed under the Department of Agriculture). It was set up as a semi state body, with two shareholders, the Minister for Finance Albert Reynolds holding 99 shares, and the Minister for Energy Michael Smith(connection to energy and resources, Shell etc) with 1 share, on behalf of the public.
  


• The Land Commission set up in the late 1800's to redistribute land to the people after the victory of the Land League, was dissolved on the same day, and all its remaining assets were transferred to Coillte. There is no record of the size of this land bank or what other assets came with it, e.g. properties, etc.
  


• Coilltes first act was to commission a geological survey of the land beneath the trees, the results of which are not in the public domain. The new owners may inherit rich mineral deposits.
  


• From its inception, Coillte was excluded from FOI (Freedom of Information) making it impossible to obtain information regarding its business, its employees operate under the Official Secrets act.
  


• Bizarre indeed, for a company whose remit is the planting and growing of trees to increase the public forest estate and manage this gift wisely.
  


• Since 1989, Coillte have posted 300 million Euros in profits.
  


• They have acted as the largest unofficial land developer in Ireland and have sold thousands of acres in that period, including the 400 acres to facilitate Shells refinery in Mayo.
  


• In their 21 years existence, they have made one contribution to the public exchequer -- 2.5 million Euros, last year.
  


• This coincided with Coillte requiring a loan facility of 400 million Euros, from a government in financial crisis. This is 100 million euros more than all of their profits over 21 years. The loan was approved by the Dail during Christmas week 2009.
  


• Coillte claim they are now in debt to the tune of 179 million Euros.
  


• The CEO, David Gunning has stated the traditional forestry model in Ireland is no longer valid, when giving a presentation to the joint agriculture committee in 2009.
  


• Recently, Coillte's estate was valued by a State agency at 1.2 billion euros, approx 1000 euros per acre.
  

" A culture" the poet W.H. Auden said, "Is no better than its woods."
A place without trees, he implied, has no roots, no strength and no shelter.

Please Sign Our Petition at www.thepetitionsite.com 
When asked for postcode enter 1234.

Thanking you for your support.

See the following Woodland League press releases for further information:

Press Release 27 Aug.pdf - Millenium Woodlands

Ireland cannot afford to sell the peoples forests.pdf - McCarthy Report

External Links:

Ahern's international forestry body could own 7% of Irish land - Tribune Article December 5, 2010

The International Forestry Fund presents to the China Investment Corporation - While Ireland was facing economic & sovereign meltdown with the IMF sharks circling her waters, Bertie Ahern (an elected representative of the Irish People) was in China, in a private capacity as chairman of the IFF.

A note of thanks to all our supporters, and a Happy New Year - The Woodland League


As the Woodland League operate on a voluntary basis we would welcome any financial contributions, large or small, towards continuing our work. We are currently trying to raise funds for a freedom of information request, our continuing campaign and also for ongoing phone bills and other costs.

Donations can be sent to -

The Woodland League, C/O East Clare Community Co-op, Main Street, Scarriff, Co. Clare.

or

Bank Details -

Bank of Ireland, Tulla, Co. Clare.
Account No: 80998623
NSC: 904480
IBAN No: IE53 BOFI 9044 8080 9986 23
BIC No: BOFIIE2D

Contact -

Andrew St Ledger, PRO The Woodland League
stledgerwood@gmail.com
087 9933157

Sunday Mirror Article 2010

Forestry chiefs have been accused of secretly selling off Ireland’s State-owned woodlands to balance their books.

The Woodland League claims forestry occupying an area almost as large as Louth will end up being sold to private companies by Coillte, the Government-backed forestry board.

Coillte at present owns more than 445,000 hectares of land, 7 per cent of all land in the Republic.

Last year it sold off €33.8million worth of assets to two pension trusts.

One of them was the Irish Forestry Unit Trust - a pension trust fund involving both AIB and Irish Life. The IFUT website says forestry assets have jumped in value from €35million to €175million in 16 years.

Woodland League’s Andrew St Ledger said: “Coillte are €200million in debt...” and claimed the sell-off amounted to “privatisation by stealth”.

Coillte spokesman Tom Byrne admitted Coillte was €177.4million in debt but said: “In 2009 we sold immature timber to Irish Forestry Unit Trust... we did not sell the land on which this timber grows.”

Derrybrien landslide caused by Coillte clearfelling 600 acres of trees on an upland bog allied to major road building undermining the bog. Followed by ESB International Quarrying as well as the fact each turbine required 200 tons of concrete as a base, which requires a large pit. Windfarms on upland bogs do not work.

ABSTRACT

"If you want to know how the shoe fits ask the person who is wearing it, not the one who made it.

The above quotation is very apt and describes superbly the on going struggle of the small isolated rural communities to have their voice and concerns heard...
For more click here to go to Derrybrien link. Minutes of a public meeting involving the Soil Association, Derrybrien community, and the Woodland league in 2004 , regarding the issues surrouding the sale of public land for a private windfarm against the wishes of the local community, that led to the landslide.

The Woodland League accuses Coillte of 'stealth privatisation' of state forests



The Woodland League, a not for profit non- governmental organisation, has publicly expressed its concern  at what it claims is the 'stealth privatisation' by Coillte of state forest lands.
The Woodland League were responding to the latest financial statement issued by Coillte , The Irish Forestry Board. According to a spokesman for the Woodland League, Andrew St Ledger, Coillte sold 33 million euros worth of public forests to the IFUT and AIB Pension Trust in 2008/2009 in order to balance its books, as  the state company continues to trade at a loss, concerning its main remit, forestry.

The Irish Forestry Unit Trust (IFUT) is a partnership comprising Coillte, AIB, and Irish Life.

St Ledger points to the recent clear felling  by IFUT of a mature pine forest in Chevy Chase Forest in south Galway as an example of the privatisation by stealth that is occurring, and claims that the Trust is now  actively seeking 'cash for trees'.

"Local people who use Chevy Chase as an amenity were astounded when the felling began as they assumed that  these trees were exempt from such felling because of their amenity and wildlife value" says St Ledger. "They were even more surprised to discover the trees were owned by IFUT and were no longer part of the public forest estate".

“Some of the concerned locals contacted the Woodland League who then ascertained through the Forest Service, that  the felling was being conducted using a five year old general felling license” he says. " This practice allows for the local Forestry Inspector to be bypassed, this is in effect a fast- track approach to felling, as it eliminates the need for a fresh environmental assessment of the site".

According to St Ledger, the Chevy Chase site was recommended to be restored to a native woodland habitat by the Forest Service in 2005 and is a special protection area for birds (SPA), highlighting its ecological value.

"Given that we are in the middle of Biodiversity Week when biodiversity awareness is being promoted by the State, communities adjacent to Coillte public forests need to be vigilant about the role of IFUT and other pension companies in ordering the felling of forests which traditionally have been understood to be public forests" says St Ledger.



He said “Unfortunately when it comes to regulation, Ireland has one of the worst records for environmental protection in the EU with the least amount of protected areas for biodiversity at 1.17% of total land area". Albania one of the poorest countries in the world still manages to protect 3.58% of its territory, source United Nations environment programme.” ENDS

1. Ireland has the lowest tree cover in the E.U., the objective of our forest policy should be increased cover from 10 % at present of our land mass to the E.U. average which is 35%, with the emphasis placed on our native tree species.

2. Ireland currently has no forestry standard to verify our commitments to S.F.M. (SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT) via the Lisbon and Helsinki agreements signed up to at E.U. level. A steering group was set up to create a forest standard for Ireland in 1999 called The I.F.C.I. (Irish Forest Certification Initiative), this was to co-incide with the granting of an ecolabel to Coillte the Irish State Forestry Board, by a body called F.S.C. (Forest Stewardship Council) an independent forest certification body set up to promote S.F.M.(sustainable forest management). F.S.C. insists on a forest standard being created with full consultation from Social, Environmental, and Economic stakeholders. Nine years on and almost 200,000 euros spent, there is no Forest standard in place, putting Ireland at a competitive disadvantage in terms of creating a viable forest industry.

3. We have an over reliance on non native softwood species planted as monocultures with little man management, dependent on clearfelling by heavy machinery , which is injurious to our soil, water, and landscape. These industrial plantations have led to depopulation and decline of rural communities, with the high level of mechanisation there is minimum labour input. They are susceptible to fire due to the high resin content of non native species. They require a high level of pesticide usage which leads to pollution and health problems. The downstream industies reliant on this source of cheap pulp wood mainly chipboard/mdf factories  producer dioxins as a byproduct which enters the air and water affecting the health and well being of local adjacent communities as well as biodiversity.
   

4. Natural Native Forests (of which we have so little left) are characterised by a higher level of biodiversity, in terms of their genetic resources species and habitat diversity than any other land based ecosystem, surely the wiser use of our natural resources should prioritise our native tree species now in order to develop a more economically, environmentally, and socially beneficial native woodland multi use forestry industry in Ireland, with all of the known benefits this would accumulate for rural communities and the overall common good in Ireland.

5. The economic argument which has long been used to justify the Industrial Plantation non-native species model of forestry is now gone as Coillte have recently admitted that it is now cheaper to import wood from Scotland by boat, in reponse to outrage by the Irish Forestry Contractors Association who discovered this was happening last year. These same contractors are facing bankruptcy and ruination according to an independent financial consultants report into their industry.
   (update; In november 2009 the CEO of Coillte, David Gunning admitted before a Dail Agriculture and food committee, that the traditional forestry model in Ireland was no longer valid)

6. The native trees of any place confer stability on soil, air, and water, as well as constituting a living link to our natural heritage via the unique Ogham Gaelic tree Alphabet and the Brehon laws, the second oldest written law system after Sanskrit to which it has many similarities. The Brehon laws were in use for at least 3000 years on this Island, and listed all 28 species of native tree and shrub  into four groups of seven in order of importance economically, spiritualitywise, and environmentwise, and protected these from wilful damage. This showed a remarkable sense of understanding of the natural world that should be respected and incorporated into any new forest policy. One of the earliest names recorded for Ireland is Inis na Bhfeodhadha translated as The Island of the sacred trees.

7. Ireland with its mild climate and plenty of rain is ideally suited for recreating new hardwood forests benefiting the social, environmental, and economic aspects of sustainable development. This is very poignant when the prices of softwoods/pulp are plummeting due to oversupply by the global plantation industry. The economy of Ireland while the Brehon laws were in use was based on its diverse forests. Irelands natural landscape is one of mainly Temperate rainforest (not as biodiversity rich as tropical rainforests but every bit as important all the same) The planet needs one third of its surface covered in natural forests, it is currently below 20 % and dwindling, this needs addressing urgently in light of the new realty of climate change challenges, facing us all.

8. It is worth noting that for every ton of native hardwood produced naturally there is a tiny amount of CO2 produced, in fact the wood has locked up the carbon in its lifetime, the CO2 is created in the harvesting and processing of the wood. In contrast to this is the fact that one ton of concrete produces one ton of CO2, it is obvious then that we need to grow more of our building materials and encourage communities to grow native species community woodlands as local carbon sinks, recreation spaces, biodiversity banks, sources of material for local craft based and biomass industries, etc etc etc. This fits in with the objectives of Agenda 21(what we all must do to survive in the twenty first century), the blueprint for sustainable development which Ireland signed up to at Rio in 1992, and which informs E.U. sustainable development and environment policy/laws. Attached to Agenda 21 are a set of Forest principles, which form the basis of S.F.M. (sustainable forest management). The Rio Declaration on the environment and its blueprint for achieving a sustainable future Agenda 21 with the forest Principles are on the Woodland League website:?????????????

9. Irelands Rural development Programme (the EUvehicle that funds forestry across the EU, the source of grants for forestry since the early 1990's ) for the next six years has omitted Afforestation (new tree planting initiatives and ancillary activities) having initially included this in its draft programme sent to the E.U. for scrutiny last year. As part of the process the draft plan had to be analysed by independent consultants in terms of its sustainable environmental compatibility, and in the  SEA ( Strategic Environmental Evaluation) section on Forestry the consultants stated that there was insufficient knowledge and expertise within the forest industry in Ireland and a complete lack of management sytems in place for aftercare of trees planted in recent times. Meaning there was insufficient cash flow from sustainable management of the forest resource, which occurs in countries with more established traditions of Forest mangement, to allow the sector to be viable economically. Most damning of all was the statement that without one hundred per cent E.U. forestry grants there would be no tree planting done in Ireland. One other significant point made was that there was no provison or reference of note in the draft R.D.P. (Rural Development Programme) to the issue of public access to these environmental assets (new forests) that they the public have helped finance through taxation.This is relevant when one looks at the amount of public forest which is being sold for unsustainable developments by Coillte, to massage the books and to put a gloss on an unhealthy industry that cannot pay its way.
   These land sales are against the wishes of many local communities around the country who are not being consulted on these matters.The most glaring example being the 400 acres of public forest sold by Coillte to facilitate the Shell gas refinery in Rossport Co Mayo. More information on this issue can be found on the website in our report; The case for Ireland Funding Forests into the Future.
   

10. Irelands outdated Forestry acts cannot deliver S.F.M. or protection to whats left of our Native woodlands, and as such the E.U. has insisted that they are upgraded and brought into line with E.U. environment laws. The acts have been under review since 1997 and the most problematic aspect of this debacle is that the 1988 Forestry Act which established Coillte is not included in the review, this ensures that Coilltes purely economic mandate to return a profit at any cost to the environment and local communities remains untouchable. (Update; The recent programme for government 2009 has included a review of the 1988 forestry Act.)

• Table of contents .pdf file
• Chapter 1: Introduction .pdf file
• Chapter 2: Structure of the forest sector in the EU and overview of the policy framework .pdf file
• Chapter 3: Methodology .pdf file
• Chapter 4: Implementation of the EU FAP .pdf file
• Chapter 5: Evaluation of the EU Forest Action Plan .pdf file
• Chapter 6: Conclusions and recommendations .pdf file