Forest Vegetation Management a World Perspective

ForestryandWoodUpdate

APRIL2006-Volume6Number4

© COFORD 2006Page 1 of 9April 2006

CONTENTS

Forest Energy 2006

CARBON CORNER

Forest Vegetation Management – A World Perspective

Small-scale Forestry and Rural Development - The intersection of ecosystems, economics and society

International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry

Smallwood 2006

Nurserymachinery 2006

Cultivate Green Building Forum

RES Market Places - Launches Regional ‘Virtual’ Market Place

EU BionetII -

The future for wild harvests in Scotland

Climate change and forest genetic diversity: Implications to sustainable forest management in Europe

Review of the Forestry Acts - Third Bulletin of the Consultative Group

CEO for CRC Forestry, Australia

Vacancy at IrBEA

COFORD

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COFORD’sactivitiesarefundedbytheIrishGovernmentundertheNationalDevelopmentPlan,2000-2006.

ThisnewsletterwascompiledandeditedbyLaurenMacLennan,
TechnologyTransferCo-ordinator,COFORD

Email:

Tounsubscribetothisnewsletter,ththeword'unsubscribe'inthesubjectfield.

© COFORD 2006Page 1 of 9April 2006

ForestEnergy2006

ThespringharvestingdemonstrationsheldacrossIrelandduringthepastmonthhavebeenahugesuccess–attractingover800people,despiterain,snowandgenerallyinclementweatherconditions.

Timberfelled during the harvesting demonstations has been lefttodryin the forestoverthesummer. Chipping demonstrationswillbe held back atthesamesitesintheautumn.AllofthestandsarebeingmeasuredpriortoandafterharvestingbystudentsfromWaterfordInstituteofTechnology.

Theobjectivesoftheprogrammeareto:

• Demonstrateacomprehensiverangeofbiomassharvestingequipmentandsystemsforearlyinterventioninbothbroadleavedandconifercropsatrepresentativesitesinprivatesectorforests,
• Showtheimportanceofsummerdryingtoreducemoisturecontentandfacilitateneedlelossinconifersandoverallshowhowtoproducedriedwoodchipforenergyuse,
• StimulatethewoodenergymarketinIreland.

Woodenergyoffershugescopeforthedevelopmentoflocalbusinesssupplyingheattohotels,schools,hospitals,downtoindividualhomeowners (now that grants for domestic boilers have also been introduced – see for details).The final phase of the fundingpackage, targeted at combined heat and power biomass installations will be launched in the coming months by SEI.Forthegrower,woodenergyiswin-win- enablingearlythinning and addingvaluetotheforestcrop,andatthesametimeopeningupextractionracksforfutureoperations.

COFORDputthisprogrammetogetherwithPieterKofmanandTomKent(WIT),withtremendoushelpright acrosstheforestrysector,fromagencies,landownersandforestrycompanies.Wealso wishtoacknowledgetheveryvaluableinputoftheforestrystaffofTeagasctothesedays,andtoBordnaMonawhich is actively collaborating intheseefforts.

WatchtheCOFORDwebsiteandthepressfordetailsaboutthechippingdemonstrationstobeheldintheautumn.

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CARBONCORNER

Government approves National Allocation Plan under the EC Emissions Trading Scheme

Last week the government agreed the outline of the National Allocation Plan for the Kyoto phase of the EC Emissions Trading Scheme. It sets the overall amount of allocations to the trading sector at 23.014 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum, out of a total anticipated emission of 63.032 million tonnes. Emission reductions are set at just over 7 million tonnes per year, of which the 105 installations in the trading sector will be required to find 3 million, with the balance coming from government purchases.

A key assumption in the plan is that sequestration from afforestation since 1990 will contribute just over 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year over the five years of the first commitment period. This number is based on estimates prepared by the COFORD carbon sequestration team in late 2005, using the CARBWARE model (see description in previous Carbon Corners). Levels of afforestation since 1990 are used in the model to arrive at the sequestration estimates. While projected afforestation from now until the end of 2012 is also included, this will have little effect on sequestration as the model assumes very low rates of sequestration in early crops.

Overall a much clearer idea is now emerging of the Kyoto compliance and monetary value of carbon sequestration resulting from the national afforestation programme. The consultants who worked on the National Allocation Plan estimated that the cost of carbon dioxide purchases would be €15 per tonne. This puts an indicative value on the forestry contribution of over €30 million per annum. Some analysts feel the €15 per tonne figure is a base price and could rise to €20 or €25[1]. Sequestration estimates may also have to be increased when more up-to-date forest productivity data are available from the National Forest Inventory – currently coming to the end of the first field phase.

The consultants’ report, which is available in full and summary at the site posted at the end of the article, has two recommendations that directly relate to the forestry sector.

Recommendation 5. Working Group on Availability and Costs of Carbon Neutral Fuels

The Government should urgently act to deploy additional resources to investigate on an integrated basis the management of the complete forestry, biomass and waste management chains in order to ensure that Government waste policies are supportive of reductions in GHG emissions through increased use of biomass. Various stakeholders differ in their views as to whether there are sufficient streams of different forms of biomass, meat and bone meal, and other carbon neutral secondary fuels could be made available to the cement industry in sufficient quantities and at costs which would justify investments in changing to carbon neutral fuels. The parties which might be involved in such a working group should include Department of Agriculture, COFORD, the rendering industry (MBM and tallow producers), waste management sector, all plants manufacturing cement or cementitious products (e.g.Ecocem) and owners of solid fuel fired power stations.

The link in the recommendation between waste and biomass use clouds the issue to some extent – first and foremost it is not clear to Carbon Corner why the issue should not be formulated simply as an examination of the potential for wood fuel in power generation, but be that as it may COFORD will fully engage in any process in the area of wood fuel. We have already issued forecasts on the potential availability of woody biomass to 2015. Realising the potential will depend primarily on the price paying potential of woody biomass.

Recommendation 7. Monitoring Carbon Sequestration and Forestry

Government should review its forestry grants and monitor this sector on an ongoingbasis to ensure that the savings predicted by COFORD based on 14,000 hectaresper annum are delivered in the 2008-2012 period and beyond. Failure to deliver thislevel of planting and the associated savings will inevitably result in a need forincreased Government purchases of AAUs or CERs/ERUs.

This is a key recommendation for the afforestation programme and is the first occasion where the forestry contribution during the Kyoto period and beyond has been spelt out in clear terms by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Increase in forest cover is a perfectly sound way of addressing climate change, as long as the forest cover is maintained. By restoring forest cover greenhouse gas emissions from centuries of deforestation on the island are being recaptured.

Further information on the Government’s decision and the consultants’ report are available at:

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ForestVegetationManagement–AWorldPerspective

ThisconferencewilltakeplaceonFriday12May2006attheWaterfordInstituteofTechnology.Theevent ishostedbyCOFORDinco-operationwithWaterfordInstituteofTechnologyandCOSTAction E47: European Network for Forest Vegetation Management: Towards Environmental Sustainability, which is chaired by Dr Nick McCarthy of WIT. The Action brings together the leading scientists in vegetation management area in Europe.

Successfulafforestationandforestregenerationrequiresyoungtreeseedlingstobeprotectedfromvegetationthatmaycompeteforscarceresourcessuchaswater,nutrientsandlight.Inrecentyears,forestmanagershavecometorelyonherbicidesasthecheapestandmosteffectivemeansofcontrollingthiscompetingnon-cropvegetation.

InEuropethereisanincreasingpoliticalandpublicdebateaboutpesticideusewithinforests,duetoconcernsaboutpotentialimpactsongroundwater,biodiversityandhumanhealth.GovernmentandEuropeanUnionregulation,andvoluntaryforestcertificationschemes,aimtoencourageareductionandinsomecasesaneventualeliminationofpesticideusewithinwoodlands.However,forthemostpart,effectivealternativestoherbicidesdonotcurrentlyexist.Withouttheknowledgeortechnologytoimplementeffectivealternatives,forestmanagers’abilitytoprotectandregeneratebothnaturalandplantationforestswillbeseverelythreatened.

ThemainobjectiveofCOSTActionE47istohelpforestmanagersreducetheirdependenceonherbicidesinEurope’sforestsbyfacilitatingandcoordinatingthedevelopmentofalternativesbasedonsoundforestmanagementprinciples.Anynewmethodsthatareidentifiedmustalsorecognisesociety’sneedforthesustainableproductionofawidevarietyofforestresources,andbesustainable,environmentallysound,sociallyacceptableandeconomicallyviable.Todatethereare15countries(includingIreland,UK,FranceandGermany)involvedintheactionwhichstartedinApril2005.

Thisconferencewillprovideaninsightintowhatothercountrieshavedonetocontrolvegetationinforestsanddisseminateknowledgeandinformationtoforesters,interestedparties,andthepublic.

TheobjectiveoftheCOFORD-fundedvegetationmanagementresearchprogramme(FORVAMS)istoreducedependenceonherbicidesinIrishforestsbyinvestigatinganddevelopingsuitablealternatives,includingtheuseofmulchmatsincontrollingvegetation.Theconferencewillincludeavisittoa mulchmattrialonashandSitkaspruceatareforestationsiteinAclamon,NewRoss,CoWexford.

Presentationswillinclude:

• ForestryherbicidesusedaroundtheworldandtheirenvironmentalimpactsbyDrJerryMichael,U.S.ForestService,andAuburnUniversitySchoolofForestryandWildlifeSciences,Alabama
• MechanismsoftreeseedlingscompetitionbyneighbouringherbaceousandwoodyvegetationinforestsbyDrPhilippeBalandier,CEMAGREF,France
• TowardsreducedherbicideuseinforestvegetationmanagementbyDrKeithLittle,InstituteforCommercialForestryResearch,SouthAfrica
• Biologicalcontrol-atoolfortheintegratedmanagementofinvasivealienweedsbyDrMarionSeier,CABIBioscience,UK

Therewillalsobeafieldtriptovegetationmanagementplotsintheafternoon.

ThebookingformcanbedownloadedfromtheCOFORDwebsite.

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Small-scaleForestryandRuralDevelopment-Theintersectionofecosystems,economicsandsociety

IUFRO3.08Small-scaleForestryInternationalConferencetobehostedbyGalway-MayoInstituteofTechnologyGalway,18to23June2006.

Inthepastdecades,therehasbeenamarkedshiftinthenatureofsmall-scaleforestry.Thisconferenceexplorestheevolvingnatureofsmall-scaleforestryandthechallengesandopportunitiesthisevolutionpresentstosustainableruraldevelopment.
Small-scaleforestsoftenrepresentconsiderable“viability”challengestotheirownersand/ortotheagenciesresponsiblefordevelopingpoliciesandprogrammestosupportandregulatethem.Overthecenturies,associetyhaschanged,sotoohavethedemandsplacedonforestsandtheirsubsequentmanagement.Inrecentyears,theemphasisinmanagementobjectivesappearstohaveshiftedfromintensive,exclusiveandsingular(timberproductivity)toabroader,moreinclusivemultipurposeapproach.Concurrentwithchangesinthemotivationsforsmall-scaleforestownership/management,arethechallengesof:ensuringcontinuityofsupplyfromadisparatesource;creatingnewmarketsfornewforestproducts;anddevisingmethodsforinternalisingthewelfarebenefitsofhealthyanddiverseforestsfortheownersoftheseforests.

Theevolvingnatureofsmall-scaleforestrypresentsamultitudeofquestionsandchallengesfortheownersthemselves,thepractitionersworkingintheforests,theextensionandruraldevelopmentservicesthatdealwithforestownersandthepublicbodieswhorepresentandregulatethem.

Weareseekingpapersthatexplorethemanyissuesassociatedwithsmall-scaleforestryandruraldevelopmentandtheimplicationstheseissueshaveforecosystemhealth,economicviabilityandsocietalwell-being.

TheconferencewillbehostedbytheGalway-MayoInstituteofTechnologyincollaborationwithCOFORD(NationalCouncilforForestResearchandDevelopment)andTeagasc(IrishAgricultureandFoodDevelopmentAuthority).

Forfurtherinformation,consultthewebsite

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InternationalConferenceonNanotechnologyfortheForestProductsIndustry

Theprogrammeforthe2006InternationalConferenceonNanotechnologyfortheForestProductsIndustrywillinclude24sessionsfeaturingpanellistsandspeakersfromavarietyofagenciesandorganisationsinvolvedinnanotechnologyRDanddeployment.TheeventtakesplaceinAtlanta,USA,from26to28April2006.SeetheInnovaWoodportalformoreinformation:

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Smallwood2006

Thiseventtakesplacefrom16to18May2006inSheratonRichmondWest,Richmond,Virginia,USA.Smallwood2006willprovidecurrentup-to-dateinformationonwoodybiomassandsmalltreeutilizationandwillfosterpeer-to-peerlearning.Enormousquantitiesofbiomassarebeinggeneratedfromthinningoperations,landclearing,andhurricanedisasters.Theseissuesdrivetheneedtocreatesolutionsforusinglow-valueandwastewood.Theconferencewillincludeaninternationalslateofspeakers,includingresearchers,materialandequipmentsuppliers,manufacturers,andend-users.Smallwood2006willfeaturetechnicalandposterpresentations,discussions,andtabletopdisplays.TheconferencewillalsoincludetoursonThursday,May18,inthesurroundingRichmondareaofmillsites,biomassenergyfacilities,andsmallforestproductsbusinesses,astate-of-the-artsmalllogsawmill,andrelatedforestproductsbusinesses.

Topicsinclude:

• CommunityPartnerships
• ForestHealthRestoration
• SupplyandAvailability
• HarvestingSystems
• ProcessingandManufacturing
• MarketsforProducts
• EnergyfromWoodyBiomass
• WorkforceTraining

Forfurtherinformation,consultthewebsite

COFORDwillconsiderapplicationsforfundingforattendingthisconferenceunderthenetworkingandknowledgetransfersupportinitiative.

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Nurserymachinery2006

Nurserymachinery2006,oneofthelargestexhibitionsfornurserymachineryinEurope,takesplaceon17and18August2006attheHorticultureCentre,northofHamburginGermany.Machineryonshowwillincludetractors,soiltillageimplements,soilcare,plantingmachines,pottingmachines,irrigationsystems,plantprotection,plantlifting,bundlingmachines,transport,packing,wrapping,andofficeorganisation.Aspecialareaforfielddemonstrationshasbeenpreparedandplantedwithhardynurserystockspacedat25,50,75and250cm.Newdevelopmentstobedemonstratedincludeself-steeringsystemsfortractors(camera,GPS),innovativetoolcarriersfornurseries,automaticgradingmachinesforseedlings,transportsystemsforcontainerplants,andsoftwaresolutionsfornurseries.Forfurtherinformation,clickonto

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CultivateGreenBuildingForum

Thisforumon22April2006willexplorebuildingmaterials,energysystemsandmethodsforretrofittingorbuildingenergyefficienthomes.

DuncanStewartwillleadapublicconversationwithaselectionofleadingecologicaldesignandgreenbuildingadvocatesfromIrelandandabroad.GuestswillincludePaulLeachonsustainablebuildingandconstruction,NiallCrossononenergyefficientconstructionandairtightnessusingnaturalandintelligentsolutions,TeresaDunneonanewlowenergyblock,LarsPetterssonandTomasO’Learyonpassivehousing,RichardWebbontheIntegerhouse,CouncillorDavidHealyandJeffColleyonprogressiveplanning,SallyStarbuckandBrianO’BrianontheVillageproject.

Therewillbea‘marketplace’whichwillconnectgreenbuildersandsupplierswithmembersofthepublic.QuentinGargan,asustainabilityadvocatewhorecentlybuiltandpoweredhisownhome,willoutlinehislearninginthisfinalsessionanddiscusswithvarioushomeenergyexpertswhatouroptionsareforheatingandpoweringourhomesinalowenergyworld.Thissessionwilloutlineoptionsandthegrantsavailable.GuestswillincludeXavierDubbsononsolarheatingsystems,ColmByrneonwoodpelletoptions,DavidMcQueonheatrecoveryventalationandMikeCotterongeothermalheatpumps.

TheeventisorganisedbytheCULTIVATECentreinassociationwithEASCAtheEnvironmentalandSustainableConstructionAssociationaspartoftheConvergenceSustainableLivingFestival2006-see

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RESMarketPlaces-LaunchesRegional‘Virtual’MarketPlace

RES(RenewableEnergySupply)MarketPlacesisaEuropean-fundedprojectwiththeultimateaimofsettingupa‘virtualmarketplace’forsuppliersintheRenewableEnergyIndustryandconsumers.Thisvirtualmarketplaceisawebsitethathasbeendesignedtohelppromotetheuseofrenewableenergysources,aswellasenergyefficiencymeasuresinnewconstructionprojectsinruralareas.Irelandisoneofanumberofcountriestakingpart–othersincludeAustria,Germany,Italy,Slovenia,SpainandSweden.EachregionhasthegoalofidentifyingthepotentialuseofRES/EEinnewconstructionprojectsandintherefurbishmentofbuildings.InFebruaryaregional*webpagewaslaunchedexclusivelyfortheIrishmarket.ThiswebpagewillfeaturethelatestinformationonREProjects,usefulcasestudiesandcontactdetailsforsuppliers/manufacturersandconsultantsintheRenewableEnergysector.

Ifyouwouldlikeyourbusiness/REProjectfeaturedonthewebsitepleasecontactAnnMcCarthy,EuropeanProjectsCo-ordinator,SWSGroupon(023)nto

*Theterm"regional"herereferstonotonlytoindividualadministrativeentitiesbutalsoincludesco-operationsbeyondmunicipalboundariesbetweendifferentactorsinaparticulargeographicalregion.

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EUBionetII-

EUBIONETIIexaminestheefficienttradingofbiomassfuelsandanalysisoffuelsupplychainsandbusinessmodelsarossanumberofEUmemberstates.TheEUBIONETII-Europeanbioenergynetworkisinvestigatingcurrentandfuturebiomassfuelmarkettrendsandbiomassfuelprices.Theprojectpartners,whichincludeIreland,arealsogatheringfeedbackonthesuitabilityoftheCEN335solidbiofuelstandardfortradingbiofuels.EUBionetIIiscurrentlyanalysingthemostsuitabletradingandbusinessmodelsforsmallandlargescalebiofuelsupplychainsforheatandpowerproduction.Throughouttheprojecteventsandstudytourswillbeorganised.TheprojectconcludesinDecember2007.EUBIONETIIissupportedbytheEuropeanCommissionundertheIntelligentEnergy-EuropeProgramme.Forfurtherinformationonanyevents,publicationsandstudytoursassociatedwiththeprojectpleasecontactAnnMcCarthy,EuropeanProjectsCo-ordinator,SWSGroupon(023).

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ThefutureforwildharvestsinScotland

TheScottishIndustriesClusterinpartnershipwithScottishEnterprisethroughtheWildHarvestsProjectwillholdaseminarandfielddayonnon-timberforestproductsentitled“ThefutureforwildharvestsinScotland”.TheeventwilltakeplaceatBeauly,closetoInverness,on10and11May2006.Theseminarwillbringtogetherlandmanagers,collectors,buyers,processors,researchers,projectfundersandpolicymakers,todevelopanoverviewofthesectorandagreewhatcanbedonetohelpdeveloptheindustry.Someofthequestionstobeaddressedatthisseminarare:

• Ascommercialexploitationincreases,howcanthisdevelopmentbefurtherencouragedwithouthavinganegativeimpactonhouseholdsandothersmall-scaleusers?
• Howcanthepublicgoodprovidedbynon-timberforestproductsusebesupported?
• Howcansustainableuseoftheseproductsbeencouragedthroughguidelines,forestrystandards,etc?
• Howcancultivationimproveyieldsofnon-timberforestproducts?

ForfurtherinformationontheseminarandfielddaypleasecontactLizHughson[.

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Climatechangeandforestgeneticdiversity:

ImplicationstosustainableforestmanagementinEurope

Theworkshoponclimatechangeandforestgeneticdiversity,heldrecentlyinParis,wasoneoftheactionsoftheMinisterialConferenceontheProtectionofForestsinEurope(MCPFE)WorkProgrammetoimplementViennaResolution5(ClimatechangeandsustainableforestmanagementinEurope).ThepurposeoftheworkshopwastoanalysetheroleofforestgeneticdiversityinmitigatingtheeffectsofclimatechangeandmaintainingsustainableforestryinEurope.ItsoutputistoproviderecommendationstotheMCPFEprocessbasedoncurrentscientificknowledgeonthetopic.

ClimatechangewillaltertheenvironmentalconditionstowhichforesttreesinEuropehave adaptedandexposethemtonewpestsanddiseasesandcouldincreaseaveragetemperaturesby2–4°CinEuropeoverthenext50years, with resultant changesinregionalandseasonalpatternsofprecipitation.Thiswillcreateadditionalchallengesforforestmanagement,withconsequentimpactsontheeconomicandsocialbenefitsthatmanypeoplederivefromtheforestsandonbiologicaldiversityinforestecosystems.

ItisunlikelythatEuropeanforesttreespeciesfaceextinctionatthespecieslevel.However,somelocaltreepopulationsarelikelytodeclineasaresultofclimatechange,inparticularatthedriermarginsofthedistributionrangesofthespecies.Foresttreesaregeneticallyhighlydiverseorganismsandtheyhaveexperiencedseveralclimate change events throughouttheirevolution.Researchresultsindicatethatmanytreescanadaptrapidlytonewenvironments.Treepopulationscanmigratenaturallythroughseeddisseminationtomoresuitableclimatesintimesofstressbutthisisaslowprocess.

Carefulandwellplannedtransferofforestreproductivematerial(mainlyseeds)canfacilitatethemigrationoftreesin response toclimatechangebutthereisaneedtodeveloppan-Europeanstrategiesandguidelinestoachievethis.Forforestowners,increasingtheuseofgeneticdiversityprovidesarecommendablerisk-reducingstrategytoincreaseflexibilityinforestmanagement.Thisalsobenefitssocietyatlargebyensuringfuturesupplyofgoodsandservicesfromforests.Europeancountriesshouldstrengthentheireffortsinconservingforestgeneticresourcesaspartofsustainableforestmanagement.

Forfurtherinformation,visittheEUFORGENwebsiteat

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ReviewoftheForestryActs-ThirdBulletinoftheConsultativeGroup

ThethirdmeetingoftheConsultativeGrouptookplaceon21MarchattheDepartmentofAgricultureandFood’sofficesinJohnstownCastle,Wexford.

• PenaltiesandProsecutions:theGroupwasadvisedaboutpenaltystructurethatiscurrentlyinplaceinthePlanningActs.ThereisnoscopeforLocalAuthoritiestoimposepenaltiesdirectly.Allpenaltiesareimposedeitheraftersummaryconvictionorconvictiononindictment.ThemaximumpenaltiesundertheWildlifeActsare€50,000.ItwasgenerallyagreedthatforthepurposesofnewForestryLegislation,itwouldbepreferableiftheMinisterhadthepowertoimposepenaltiesforinfringementsdirectly,ratherthanhavingtogothroughtheCourtssystemeverytime.TheoptionofCourtactionforseriousinfringementswouldremain.
• ForeignLegislation:Groupswereaskedtoconsidertheforeignlegislationcirculatedatthelastmeeting.Referencewasmadetothesethroughoutthemeeting,inparticulartoothercountries’replantingobligations.Thevariousmodelswillbeconsideredinmoredetailasdifferenttopicsarediscussed.
• OpenForum:TheGroupagreedthatanopenforumshouldbeheldinearlyMay.TheChairmanoftheGroupagainoutlinedtheobjectiveofthisfurtherpublicconsultationprocess.RepresentationontheConsultativeGroupitselfhad,ofnecessity,toberestrictedbuttheDepartmentwasanxioustogiveeveryonewhoengagedintheconsultativeprocesstodateachancetovocalizetheirsubmissions.Inaddition,thissessionisnecessaryfortheConsultativeGrouptoensurethattheyhavecapturedallcurrentthinkingwithinthesector.Itwouldalsobeanopportunityforthevariouscontributorstohavetheopportunitytodebate.Aninvitationwillissuetoallbodies/individualsthathavemadewrittensubmissionstotheDepartmentinresponsetoeitherofthetwocallsforinput.Furtherinformationontheopenforumwillbepostedonthewebsite.
• ProceedingsofMeeting:Atthepreviousmeetingithadbeenagreedthatthetopicoffellingwouldbediscussedforaslongaswasdeemednecessary.Previously,thistopichadbeensummarisedinto10mainheadings,asfollows:RoleofAnGardaSíochána;FellingLicenceSystem;ProsecutionsandPenalties;PublicConsultation;ControlofFelling;Exemptions;Environment;Appeals;ReplantingConditions;MiscellaneousIssues.Topics1to5hadbeencoveredatthelastmeeting.Aswasthecaseinthepreviousmeeting,eachoftheissuesraisedinindividualsubmissionsinrelationtothelast5topicswereexaminedandconsideredbytheGroup.ItwasagreedthatoftheremainingtopicsthemostcontentiouswaslikelytobetheReplantingConditions.ThebasicpremisebehindtheReplantingObligationwouldappeartobetoensurethatforestryissustained/increasedandtoensurethatlandisnotleftuntended.Variousmodelsinforeignlegislationwereconsideredastohowtheseobjectiveswereachievedoutsideofareplantingobligation.Theimportanceofstrikingsomesortofbalancewasstressed,includinghowtobetterreflecttheflexibilitywhichalreadyexistsinthecurrentAct.Thebasisuponwhichflexibilitymightbeshownwasseentofallintothreecategories:instanceswhereonenvironmentalgroundsreplantingwasnotdesirableorshouldbeconstituteddifferently;theneedtorespondtoasituationwherethe“perpetuityclause”wasseentoactasadisincentivetoafforestationinthefirstplace;andinstanceswhereapublicgoodwasbeingserved.Inrelationtoappeals,itwasagreedthatthecurrentlegislativeprovisionsneedtobeupdated.Howthisshouldbedonewasdebatedandwillbereturnedtoatalaterdate.Onrelatedenvironmentalissues,theimportanceofmakingspecificprovisiontoprotectidentifiednativewoodlandswasstressed,whileitwasfeltthatmanyoftheotherconcernscouldbedealtwithbywayofguidelinesfoundedonanenablingprovisioninthenewAct.Onthequestionofexemptions,itwasconsideredthattheexistingexemptionforLocalAuthoritiesetc.fromthefelling-licensingregimewasnotamajorcauseofconcern,giventhecontrolsotherwiseinplaceandthepublicgoodnatureoftheworkinmostcases.However,itwasagreedthatthedefinitionsoftheareasconcernedshouldbeexamined.ThisconcludedthedebateonFelling.TheGroupwillreviewtheirworktodateonthistopicforthenextmeetingwhichisscheduledfor24April2006andthetopicfordiscussionwillbeplanning.

Forfurtherinformationonanyaspectofthereviewprocesspleasevisit

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CEOforCRCForestry,Australia

TheAustralianCo-operativeResearchCentreforForestryisaconsortiumofindustry,governmentandresearchproviderorganisationsdedicatedtoresearchthatwillcontributetotheeconomicdevelopment,sustainabilityandinternationalcompetitivenessofAustralia'sforestindustry.ThecontractofthecurrentChiefExecutiveOfficerconcludesattheendofJune2006andthepositionwillneedtobefilled.ThepositiondescriptioncanbefoundontheCRCforForestry'sinterimwebsiteat

ThesuccessfulapplicantwillreporttotheBoardoftheCompanyandwillhavethedualroleofmanagingthebusinessactivitiesoftheCompany,andprovidingtheprofessionalandpersonalleadershipnecessaryfortheconductofavigorous,productive,multi-partner,researchanddevelopmentprogrammewithstrongemphasisondeliveryofvalue,throughanappropriatecommercialisationandutilisationprogramme.

ForfurtherinformationonthepositionpleasecontactProfessorRodGriffin,CEO,CRCForestryLimitedon0362267946or0407871003,facsimile0362267942,.

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VacancyatIrBEA

TheIrishBioenergyAssociation(IrBEA)isseekingapersontoassistpart-timewiththeadministrationoftheAssociation.Todate,theadministrationofIrBEAhasbeenconductedonavoluntarybasis,bythemanagementcommitteemembers.TheAssociationnowhasover130membersandinterestintheBioenergyindustryisgrowing,thereforeadedicatedpersonisnecessarytoundertaketheadministrativeduties,ifIrBEAistofunctionwell,continuetogrowandrepresenttheviewsofitsmembers.Ajobdescriptionisavailabletodownloadat

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© COFORD 2006Page 1 of 9April 2006

[1] It is important to distinguish between prices in the ETS and those that governments may have to pay. ETS prices are likely to be considerably higher than government purchases, as the supply/demand gap is tighter in the ETS system than in the government sphere.