Forestry Consultancy Service
The Challenge of Regulation For Foresters
Foresters are the caretakers of our forests, managing the delicate balance between human needs and ecological preservation. As such, the forestry sector in Ireland operates within a strict regulatory environment.
Foresters must comply with regulations across the Forestry Life Cycle, from site selection at the establishment, thinning, felling, replanting and reinstatement.
Success in this business increasingly depends on full compliance with best practices at all stages. Time is money, and regulatory compliance means faster application acceptance.
What are the forestry licence regulations in place in Ireland?
The provisions of the Act and the regulations came into force on 24 May 2017. The Forestry Act, 1946, was repealed on that date.
The Forestry Act 2014 has a broad application and applies to various aspects of forestry activities in Ireland. Here are the key requirements specified under the Act:
- Afforestation Licence: Any afforestation project involving an area greater than 0.10 hectares (approximately 0.25 acres) requires an Afforestation Licence. This licence is necessary for establishing new forests on the specified land.
- Forest Road Works Licence: If you intend to carry out forest road works, a Forest Road Works Licence is mandatory. This licence covers the construction and maintenance of forest roads, which are essential for forestry management and access.
- Felling Licence: To fell or remove trees or to thin a forest for management purposes, a Felling Licence is required. This licence ensures that tree removal is conducted in a regulated and sustainable manner, and it typically includes a replanting obligation.
- Aerial Fertilisation Licence: If you plan to carry out aerial fertilisation in forestry operations, you must obtain an Aerial Fertilisation Licence. Aerial fertilisation is a practice used to enhance tree growth and forest health.
Do You Need A Partner In Environmental Regulation?
You need a partner in environmental and ecological assessment. This is why we’ve developed an end-to-end service for forestry developers and managers dealing with regulatory challenges at Southern Scientific.
The 4 main areas of support are:
- Environmental and Ecological Assessment Services
- Water Analysis Services
- Soil Analysis Services
- Foliage Analysis Services
Southern Scientific is experienced in Environmental Consultancy to help you make sure you are following guidelines and regulations.
How Does Forestry Consultancy Work?
A 3-step, simple process of:
🗣️ Consult – 🔎 Assess – 📃 Report
If you have identified a site that is potentially suitable for afforestation, but the service outlines that there may be ecology problems, our Ecology team assess your site and report on all requirements for the licensing process.
From your site map and a desk review, we can determine if a site visit is needed to complete your report.
If you need advice on approaching your forestry license application, we can suggest the best approach to maximise your chances of success.
If you have a large site that exceeds the EIA Directive Annex II threshold, we carry out EIA Screenings and EIARs.
Once the reports are submitted to the Forestry Service and any issues have been cleared you will receive your license and can begin working again.
Why Choose Southern Scientific?
Southern Scientific has 29+ years of experience, and our team has evaluated over 150 forestry applications in the last year, making us the perfect partner to help you apply and process license applications across the full forestry life cycle.
If you can’t take the action you need on your site because of a Further Information Request from the Forest Service, contact us Southern Scientific at 066 976 35 88 to get started today.
You’ll receive a consultation, a quote and a complimentary Surface Water alkalinity test to help you get the needed reports to get your site moving.
