Irish sawmills are set to increase capacity by 30% to clear damage caused by Storm Éowyn, according to Forest industries Ireland (FII).

The forestry and timber trade association within Ibec has analysed sawmilling capacity in Ireland to help forest owners bring to market timber blown down in January’s storm.

FII said it has looked at the additional capacity available at Irish sawmills and concluded that timber processing can increase by 30%.

The association said that this will help forest owners sell their timber in the coming months.

Sawmills
FII also said that more than 30 new timber harvesting machines have been brought into Ireland to speed up the harvesting of storm-damaged forests.

This brings the total to more than 70 harvesting machines working on wind blow sites in Ireland.

A completed assessment based on satellite imagery of wind-damaged forest areas following storms Darragh and Éowyn has confirmed that 26,050ha of forestry had been impacted.

This total equates to more than two years’ supply of wood in Ireland.

Irish timber processors say they should be able to work through the majority of this ‘wind-blown’ timber within the next 18 months.

Mark McAuley, director of Forest Industries Ireland said that we are “fortunate to have Europe’s largest timber importer on our doorstep”.

“In fact, the UK is the second largest importer of sawn timber products in the whole world.

“Ireland’s timber processors are now stepping up their production in line with the increased supply of sawlog stemming from Storm Éowyn.

“There is an important message for Ireland’s forest owners that the Irish industry has the capacity to cope with the post-storm situation, and to process and market the increased supply of timber.

“It is vital for the future of Ireland’s forestry sector that the best possible outcome is delivered for forest owners impacted by the storm.

“A well planned and measured approach to timber harvesting and marketing will help to deliver this,” he added.

Source: agriland.ie