4.9 Development of a Shared National Vision and Strategy for

New Vision: Project Woodland was tasked with establishing a cross-society vision of the role of trees, woods and forests in Ireland’s future, along with the development of a new forest strategy. The Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods, and Forests in Ireland by 2050, published in September 2022, provides inspiration and motivation for the next three decades to deliver what is needed for our forests. It commissioned a series of engagement measures to assess the views of stakeholders and the wider public on the vision and Ireland’s wider forest strategy.

These consultations included:

An online public consultation survey, which received more than 3,000 responses from M individuals, private organisations, public authorities and academic institutions.

A deliberative dialogue event in the style of the citizens’ assembly, featuring 99 people M representative of the wider population.

A public attitudes survey of more than 1,000 people based on face-to-face interviews. M

A study of the attitudes of local and rural communities which features a survey of more than M 600 people, a series of focus groups, and an examination of international best practice.

A youth forum run by Foróige, a youth development organisation working with 50,000 M people aged 10-18.

And a series of bilateral meetings between DAFM and key stakeholders. M

This level of consultation was considered essential to create a truly shared cross-society vision for the future of trees and forests in Ireland.

Outcome: It was notable that many of the same responses were repeated across the different engagements. There is overwhelming support – across all consultation strands – to plant more trees and forests. Ninety seven percent of people agree that Ireland needs more forests (online public consultation survey) while 85% of people feel there is too little forestry in Ireland (community engagement study). Three quarters of people are in favour of planting more forests in their own county, and 76% in their nearest urban area (public attitudes survey). Ninety-five percent of people agree Ireland needs to take action to meet our 18% target for forest cover, and 88% believe we should double – or even further increase – our annual afforestation targets to 16,000 hectares (deliberative dialogue). Overall, the consultation showed that the current level of forest cover in Ireland is too low and there is an urgent need for a greater level of ambition.

Climate change is highlighted as one of the most important reasons for planting more forests. Almost 98% of people said creating new forests is important or very important for climate change (public attitudes survey). A total of 54% of people believe there are no preferable land uses that provide the same benefits to climate change than forestry (community engagement study). Respondents in the youth forum made clear that clean air and carbon capture are among the most important benefits of trees as they act as “the lungs of the planet” (youth forum). A majority (52%) of people want to combat climate change by expanding forest cover beyond the 18% target; and they agree this will require farmers to become more involved in forestry (deliberative dialogue). Ultimately the ambition to expand forest cover depends on farmers and landowners deciding to plant trees on their land. This was highlighted in all six consultation engagements.

The findings of the various consultation methods and the Shared Vision assisted in developing a new draft Forest Strategy up to 2030 and a new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. The overarching objective of the new Forest Strategy is to radically and urgently expand the national forest estate to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development, employment, and quality of life.

Ireland Outlook Irish forests continue to supply increasing amounts of wood fibre for sawmilling, panel board mills and the wood energy markets. An updated All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast 2021-2040 was published during 2021. The forecast predicts that the annual potential roundwood supply will increase from 4.7 million cubic metres in 2021 to 7.9 million cubic metres by 2035. This will be followed by a small decrease to remain constant at circa 7.6 million cubic metres up to 2040. Realising this large increase in potential production will entail significant capital investment in roads, harvesting equipment and wood processing. The Irish sawmilling sector is well placed to process this increased production in supply, with the majority of products exported to markets in the United Kingdom and further afield. Initiatives by DAFM such as knowledge transfer groups and forest road grants will continue to facilitate the mobilisation of timber.

Operating Surplus (OS)

Operating surplus is defined and calculated by the CSO by subtracting compensation of employees from farm income accruing from farm output. The figure is comprised of the operating surplus earned by farmers and that earned by agricultural contractors. It is an estimate of income before deductions for interest payments on borrowed capital, land annuities and rent paid by farmers to landowners for the use of their land. It does not include income from non-farming sources and may not be equated to household income.

Although there has been progress in the past few years with the certification of a small area of privately owned forests, this area will need to increase. This will ensure that sufficient certified material will be available in the coming years for Irish wood processors, in order for timber supply to access existing markets, both home and abroad. In 2021 the Coford Study on Private Forest Certification in Ireland outlined the next steps towards a national certification scheme for private forest owners, with support from the forest industry. This work was progressed in 2022, with a tender being issued for services to undertake the work and the associated tasks involved in preparing a business plan for the establishment of Irish Group Forest Certification Scheme.

EU Outlook In 2022 the European Commission began to progress implementation of the EU Forest Strategy in consultation with Member States. A debate on how to progress the strategy took place at the EU Agri-Fish Ministerial Council in November 2022 and a sub-committee of the EU Standing Forestry Committee (SFC) was established to examine the issue of forest monitoring and reporting which was a key component of the EU Forest Strategy. The strategy aligns closely with the EU Green Deal and EU Biodiversity Strategy.

Operating Surplus (OS)

Operating surplus is defined and calculated by the CSO by subtracting compensation of employees from farm income accruing from farm output. The figure is comprised of the operating surplus earned by farmers and that earned by agricultural contractors. It is an estimate of income before deductions for interest payments on borrowed capital, land annuities and rent paid by farmers to landowners for the use of their land. It does not include income from non-farming sources and may not be equated to household income.

An agreement in principle was reached in December 2022 on the EU Deforestation Regulation and has now completed the trialogue process. The EU Regulation 2023/1115 on the making available on the Union market and the export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation and repealing Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 is now agreed and was published in the official journal of the European Union on the 9th June 2023. The regulation will prohibit the placing on the EU market products produced in areas where deforestation and forest degradation has taken place, and will apply to cattle, coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, soy, timber, and certain derivative products too. Operators will need to demonstrate that they have undertaken due diligence before placing these commodities on the market. A general approach on the Land Use and Land Use Change in Forestry (LULUCF) was also agreed as well as the progression of regulations on Nature Restoration and Renewable Energy.

Also, in 2022 the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) held its conference on forestry in October 2022. The European Union positions was presented by the incumbent Czech presidency. Ireland contributed to the drafting of common EU positions leading up to the conference through its role on the Working Party on Forestry. Previously, the United Nations Forum on Forests and the World Forestry Congress both took place in May 2022. Ireland was represented at both events.

Highlights The proposed Forest Strategy (2023-2030) is designed to provide an overarching framework that identifies the actions needed to implement the change required for Ireland’s forests.

Operating Surplus (OS)

Operating surplus is defined and calculated by the CSO by subtracting compensation of employees from farm income accruing from farm output. The figure is comprised of the operating surplus earned by farmers and that earned by agricultural contractors. It is an estimate of income before deductions for interest payments on borrowed capital, land annuities and rent paid by farmers to landowners for the use of their land. It does not include income from non-farming sources and may not be equated to household income.

The proposed Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 contains a series of 8 different interventions:

1. Forest Creation

2. Agroforestry

3. Infrastructure and Technology investments

4. Sustainable Forest Management

5. Developing skills and empowering the Forest Sector for Sustainable Forest Management

6. Open Forests: Social, Cultural and Heritage Forests

7. Climate Resilient Reforestation

8. Reconstitution

The Forestry Programme was published in August 2023 and the Forestry Strategy will be published later in 2023.

		5 CHAPTER		Fisheries and Aquaculture
In 2022, there were The value of Irish seafood In 2021, Irish fishing 8,218 people exports has increased for the vessels landed second year in a row, growing 51,476 tonnes employed directly in fisheries, aquaculture and €33 million by , of Atlantic Mackerel at Irish processing, with a further from €609 million to €642 ports, the largest quantity for 7,155 in downstream million in 2022. any species. employment in ancillary and support sectors.