This article is from page 61 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 61 JPG
MINISTER of State at the Depart- ment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with responsibility for Forest- ry, Mary Wallace last week officially launched the 2008 Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA) For- estry and Timber Yearbook. Speaking at the launch, Wallace commented on the recent develop- ments in the forestry sector, including the new Afforestation Programme and Forest Management measure approved by the EU Commission in late 2007. She also referred to the non-economic benefits of forestry. “In any sector, effective commu- nication and the distribution of rel-
evant, up to date information 1s vital. The Forestry and Timber Yearbook is an important tool in this regard for everyone in the forestry sector,” she HOE
“It is an invaluable reference book and its continued success through the years is evidence of the high regard VSLASTDOM ZNO MLAB IMs
“The National Climate Change Strategy sets out a clear role for for- estry in mitigating climate change, not only in terms of carbon seques- tration, but also in the role that the forest estate will play in providing ereen renewable wood energy.
The Forestry and Timber Yearbook features articles and advice on sub- jects such as state support measures
for forestry, woodland taxation and various forestry issues. It also in- cludes a directory containing close to 200 organisations and companies in the forestry and tree growing in- dustry.
“With the approval of our forestry programme by the EU up to 2013, timber prices at high levels and with the many new opportunities arising, there has never been a better time to become involved in this industry,” continued the minister.
Meanwhile, a major national bioen- ergy conference will take place in Tullamore, today Tuesday, February 12. The one-day conference, jointly organised by the Irish Bioenergy As- sociation (IrBEA) and Teagasc, will
focus on the latest developments in this emerging industry.
The theme for the conference is ‘Bioenergy – Making it a Sustainable Reality’ and it will focus on how to make the bioenergy supply chain V0) ue
The panel of national and inter- national speakers, drawn from the different stages of the supply chain, will share their experiences on how they achieved success in the biomass energy sectors and in the less-known non-energy sectors of crop-derived construction materials, renewable polymers and lubricants.
The possibility of using crops for fuel is one of the most exciting de- velopments of recent years.