Approvals to plant over 17,000 hectares of forestry have been issued by the Department of Agriculture and Food since it took over the administration of the forestry sector on January 1st.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, said he did not share the view that plantings this year would fall to such a level as to damage the structure of the industry.
"I am aware that 2003 and, indeed, 2002 were not perhaps the most progressive years for forestry in Ireland. This was due in part to necessary containment of Government expenditure, but also partly due to the understandable uncertainties brought about by parallel developments in other areas which directly impact on forestry."
He said he was already active in dispelling and counteracting some uncertainties surrounding the industry. These included a 30 per cent increase in the estimate for forestry, and intensive talks with the European Commission on the impact of CAP reforms on forestry.
Mr Walsh said in addition to sanctioning planting applications, he had authorised the start of the long overdue inventory of Irish forests. He would urge farmers and landowners to recognise the financial and tax-free benefits that forestry offered, an industry which employed over 10,000 people and had an annual turnover of €500 million.