Tony Killeen TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with responsibility for Forestry, today officially launched the ‘Forestry & Timber Yearbook 2010’, the annual yearbook published by the Irish Timber Growers Association (ITGA).

Speaking at the launch, which took place at the Department of Agriculture offices in Kildare Street, Minister of State Killeen commented: “I am pleased to launch the ‘Forestry & Timber Yearbook 2010’ as it is a major source of information to forestry growers and, indeed, to everyone in the forestry sector.  Not only does it contain a contacts directory and useful reference material including forestry statistics, there are also a number of informative articles on issues which are relevant to growers”.

The Minister of State welcomed the allocation of 120 million euro for forestry announced in the recent Budget as it makes provision for a planting programme of 7,000 hectares of new forests in 2010 as well as the support schemes including forest roads and thinning and tending grants.  Referring to the substantial allocation for the afforestation programme, he added: “It is a recognition of the contribution that forestry is making and the further potential that exists to develop the industry on an ongoing basis”.

Minister of State Killeen noted that this allocation is continued evidence of the Government’s commitment to forestry and acknowledgement that “forestry offers benefits for farmers and other landowners, sustains employment, contributes to industrial development and provides recreational facilities while also being a key component in environment protection and carbon sequestration”.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
-    High-resolution images of Tony Killeen, Fianna Fail TD for Clare, and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with special responsibility for Forestry, Fisheries and the Marine, may be downloaded from www.dunphyprimages.com
-    For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR at media@dunphypr.com or 086-8534900

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