Forest owners whose plantations have been devastated by the recent storm Éowyn have been encouraged to attend a public meeting in Carrick-on-Shannon later this month.

The meeting – which is being held in the Landmark Hotel on Tuesday 18 February – is being organised by the Irish Forest Owners (IFO) and aims to give a platform for plantation owners to explore strategies for recovering and restoring storm-damaged forests.

“This collaborative effort aims to support forest owners in navigating the aftermath of the most severe weather event in recent times and ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of their forests,” said IFO chair Derek McCabe.

The topics to be discussed include:

  • Assessing the Government response to date.
  • Emergency response and recovery strategies for forest owners.
  • Assessing the needs of affected forestry owners.

  • Financial assistance and resources needed by forest owners.
  • Short-term planning in mitigating losses.
  • Preventing profiteering in the supply chain at the expense of forest owners.

    • In response to storm Éowyn, the IFO has called on the Government to enact emergency legislation which will put a moratorium in place preventing the granting of felling licenses or the processing of all standing timber until wind throw quantities are processed.

    McCabe said the Government needed to fast-track the issuing of licences on the basis of health and safety risks and disease risks.

    The IFO has also called for the importation of firewood and biomass to be halted until all fallen timber is utilised across the country.

    McCabe urged the Irish authorities to move quickly to introduce a grant for the replanting of damaged forests. Such a grant was provided to growers in the aftermath of storm Darwin, which struck in 2014.