FSC-Watch

It took many years to persuade the Forestry Commission to be more creatively sympathetic to landscapes previously disfigured by their geometric blocks of exotic conifers with little or no wildlife value.

Having just returned from Connemara, I am aware of how precious are the remaining fragments of native woodland. These should be the starting points for a forestry policy dedicated to indigenous species with high nature conservation value. Perhaps Coillte could confer with their UK counterpart, while in the meantime the FSC and SA ought to reconsider their support in light of the reality of such planting.

Dear All, Thanks Wally for your contribution.
I have been dealing with Coillte Teoranta, the Irish semi-state forestry company, for many years, and one thing I am certain about. They will have to be forced to stop their outrageously destructive use of Sitka spruce and other non native species. They have in effect used their FSC certification, obtained through the backdoor as it were, as a shield to continue destroying the Irish natural environment. The fact is that such forestry commercial operations have the money to influence public opinion, have the connections to influence political bodies and individuals, and have the motivation of profit to do it as a priority.
They obviously have the cooperation, either enthusiastically or tacitly, of the FSC. The only thing environmentalists can do is to preserve their integrity and condemn the whole FSC-supported farce. I for one think that saving such intergrity, and not compromising with this nature-destructive farce, is an absolute minimum for true environmentalists.
Regards, Ray Monahan, Castlegregory
Co. Kerry