How To Get Involved - Local Authorities

A proposal that the Government should have a National Timber Procurement Policy has received unanimous support from the members of the Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In a presentation to the committee by Offaly-based forest education/awareness group Irish Woodworkers for Africa T/A Just Forests

The chairman, of the Committee Deputy Sean Fleming, T.D., stated “We will comply with Mr. Roche’s three requests. First, we will ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the FLEGT process. Second, we will ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure that this matter is dealt with in legislation. Third, if Mr. Roche provides a copy of Offaly County Council’s policy, we will circulate it to all other local authorities asking them to consider putting in place similar policies”.

This is a great step forward according to Tom Roche, co-ordinator of Just Forests. “We have been working towards this end for 20 years.”

Just Forests supplied two documents in advance of the meeting for circulation to committee members.
1. Timber Policy Brochure [Download]
2.Timber Policy Summary [Download]
3.Actual Presentation by Just Forests [Download]

The official report of Just Forests presentation to the Joint Committee on Environment, Heritage and local Government is available.

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Just Forests will meet officials in Galway City Council in September 2009 to discuss the possibility of this local authority adopting a responsible timber policy

Monaghan Co Council adopted a timber policy in May 2009

I am pleased to be able to let you know that I proposed the following motion at Monaghan County Council in May. The motion read: “That Monaghan County Council sets in place a policy procedure in relation to timber procurement. That this policy will include a provision that Monaghan County Council will permit only legal and sustainable timber or FLEGT-licensed timber in works carried out by the local authority or on behalf of the local authority”. The motion was passed unanimously. I intend, over the coming months, to pursue this matter further to ensure that the policy is developed and implemented. I will keep you informed of any developments in this regard. Any guidance would of course be welcome.

Ádh mór, Cllr. Matt Carthy, Monaghan County Council.

During 2008 and 2009 Just Forests tried to work with Westmeath Co Council after discovering that the Council had used plywood containing Bintangor any Nyotah (the proceeds of illegal-logging) on the external walls under the exterior Cedar cladding. Species report from Hamburg University Wood Science Department - Page 1.[Download] Page 2.[Download]
Photo of banner used in the St. Patrick's Day parade through the streets of Mullingar - 17th March 2009. [Download]

Offaly Co Council became the first local authority in Ireland to formally adopt a timber purchasing policy in 2001. Unfortunately the policy was never implemented. After some public protest (photo) outside the Council offices and subsequent discussion on the Housing, Social and Cultural Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) an updated DRAFT Timber Policy was submitted by Just Forests to Offaly County Council in January 2009 and is available to download here.

Offaly County Council are delighted to be the first local authority in Ireland to have formally adopted a timber purchasing policy. This policy was adapted by Offaly County Council in April 2001 and is underpinned by the principle that timber and wood products sourced by the Council will as soon as is practicable, be independently certified, preferrably by a certifier accredited by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), or equivalent, as coming from well managed sustainable sources. We believe that by promoting this policy, where practicable, in our public works contracts we are leading by example in the sustainable development of forests both home and abroad.

Mr. Niall Sweeney, Offaly County Manager

Testimonials from some of the world's major NGO's and Businesses on why they support FSC[Read more...]

The US Lacey Act sees FSC as the best way forward to deal with illegal-logging [Read more..]