Services to Develop a Group Certification Template for Private Forest Owners- A pilot project
In November 2016, Forest Service, DAFM, awarded a tender for an important pilot project to facilitate group certification in Ireland.
Project Synopsis
As the level of timber supply from the private sector increases, the lack of forest certification amongst timber growers is likely to become a barrier to wood mobilisation. Thousands of hectares of private woodland are approaching the stage of first, and subsequent thinnings, resulting in a sharp increase in supply of logs from private forests in the near future. The objective of this pilot project is to develop a template for group certification which can be employed by private forest owners. The pilot project will involve achieving certification for two Knowledge Transfer Groups (KTGs) who have agreed to take part in the pilot project.
Background
Certification of private woodlands is likely to be required in Ireland in the coming years as timber processors source increasing quantities of roundwood from privately owned forests. Ireland exports approximately 80% of all our timber products, and our export markets for these products require them be certified. Under the two main international certification schemes, timber processors can take in a maximum of 30% of uncertified wood in their log supply to be permitted to label their output as certified. In the coming years, many timber processors will be taking in more than this proportion of wood from private forests and hence the need for certification, so as these products can be sold on international markets and both growers and processors will benefit.
Undertaking the project
The contract to undertake the pilot project was awarded to an international consortium led by Commercial Forestry Services Ltd., in partnership with The Forestry Company and UK Forest Certification Ltd. The Soil Association Certification Ltd (UK) were the Auditors for the project.
Key contributors to the project were the two participating KTGs, North East Forestry Group and Forest Owners Co-operative Society and Teagasc.
Members of the Forest Owners Co-operative Society pictured during Training Day organised as part of the Pilot Project in Macroom, Co. Cork. (left)
Members of the North East Forestry Group pictured during Training Day organised as part of the Pilot Project in Navan, Co. Meath (right)
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, Andrew Doyle, TD congratulated the North East Forestry Certification Club and the Forest Owners Co-operative Society, at a function in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, on achieving group certification.
The pilot project was completed in May 2018.
