Farmers in the west sold a pup with forestry 🌲 in the 1990s when it was being planted on deep peat, wetlands, habitats, "bad" HNV land, anywhere and everywhere in fact.
https://t.co/w6fCcCEcOh
Based on our experiences in #Leitrim /around the country @coilltenews
Are falling way short on biodiversity. Its not part of their statutiory remit. In direct opposiition/conflict to their sole profit remit. Spending on biodiversity takes from profits ?
https://t.co/On6aI0eKpL
What kind of a country have we become when such one sided commercially produced propaganda tripe is being paid for by taxpayers and endorsed by @MHealyRae to indocterinate our children.
Good to hear the Forestry Industry challenged on RTEliveline today. Sending inaccurate information to Primary Schools about Sitka Spruce, is a new low for the Forest Industry. A reminder to all Primary School Teachers today is World Curlew day. Two sides to every story.#Curlew
@rayofoghlu We can’t agree with you on this. He wasn’t willing to accept the legacy issue of over planting in areas or measures to replace conifers with broadleaves at clearfell stage. Very much part of the industry.
@farmersjournal Is the junior minister post for forestry the poison chalice? It certainly seems that way. We have engaged with four ministers now or tried to. It might be time for @agriculture_ie to address the legacy issues of wrong trees in wrong place & put meaningful changes in place.
Forest plantations are a blight on the future of our communities, farming families, on our biodiversity environment & landdcape because there is too much of this being forced into #Leitrim & other areas by @agriculture_ie Forest Service @MHealyRae ++
https://t.co/1x4zZYFt8L
If this damage resulted from farming activity @IFAmedia@farmersjournal the farmer would be prosecuted & would loose payments under breaches of crosscompliance. But this is acceptable to @agriculture_ie forest service @MHealyRae so that profits can be extracted from plantations
@farmersjournal Who in their right mind would build anything with Sitka? The majority of conifers planted here are destined for firewood or pallets. Even DAFM don’t want it in farm sheds or fencing
@Mark_J_Henry@EU_Eurostat Ireland has few forests but too many loathsome plantations with non native conifers which destroy the environment & communities. Unfortunately little if any life beneath the canopy. No light = no life.
Activist: "We should plant trees to fight climate change."
Farmer: "On grassland?"
Activist: "Everywhere possible."
Farmer: "Grassland soil stores 200 tonnes of carbon per hectare. Trees on the same soil? Maybe 100."
Activist: "But trees sequester faster..."
Farmer: "Above ground. Where it burns. Grassland accumulates below ground. Where it stays."
Activist: "Trees are permanent..."
Farmer: "Until fire, disease, drought, or logging. My soil carbon has been accumulating for 8,000 years."
Activist: "Surely trees are better..."
Farmer: "Better at what? Looking impressive? Grassland's better at stable, long-term carbon storage."
Activist: "Why doesn't anyone talk about this?"
Farmer: "Because planting trees makes good photos. Maintaining grassland doesn't."