{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Forestry Now","title":"Ireland's Forest Industry with Mark McAuley","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3129,"description":"In this interview I speak with Mark McAulay from Forest Industries Ireland (a business group within IBEC). We discuss the positives and negative aspects of forestry in the past, as well as the size and benefit of the industry we now have. I ask Mark about environmental and social concerns opponents of commercial plantation forestry have. A further common criticism is that Ireland's conifer forests produce poor timber, so we address that, and Mark explains the many uses homegrown softwoods are put to. We discuss how Europes over zealous interpretation of \"peatland\" is restricting planting in Ireland but that it needs to be reconsidered on improved soils grasslands especially. Finally, we discuss why all landowners should consider planting trees and about the supports the government offer for establishment and management.\nThis podcast is supported by the Irish Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. If you're thinking of planting a new forest or if you want information on financial and technical supports to manage your existing forest then go to \nhttp://gov.ie/forestryforyou\n\nKey Points:\nThe economic contribution of the Irish forestry sector\nPublic perception and biodiversity considerations\nThe impact of European regulations on Irish forestry\nThe importance of coniferous and native forests for climate and biodiversity\nManagement practices like clearfell and continuous cover forestry\nIncreasing afforestation in the future\n\nQuotes:\n\"90% plus of the population think that forests are a good thing and that we should have more of them.\"\n\"Forests are a major tool in combating climate change\"\n\"Timber locks away carbon and keeps it out of the atmosphere\"\n\"Clearfell areas green up very quickly, usually within a few years\"\n\"Let's say you're getting 200,000 euro in forestry premiums... over 20 years. Could we look at front loading some of that?\"\nExplaining low afforestation: \"We always have found in forestry in Ireland over the years is when agriculture is doing well,...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/y-Ns7qgeQc4APOd80Zlamk7qjqkdHoEVT6BTEG7fO4A/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84ZmZj/ZWY3Yjg1ZjZiZmYy/ZTNjMGQ5YWZlY2Jh/NWUwMS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}