Conservation and potential of Ireland's forest genetic resources highlighted in COFORD report
Minister of State Mary Wallace TD today launched a COFORD report on the conservation and development of Ireland's forest genetic resources. The report is entitled Sustaining and Developing Ireland’s Forest Genetic Resources - An Outline Strategy.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Wallace said: Forest genetic resources are fundamental to everything in commercial forestry in Ireland and in conserving our native trees and forests. Good quality genetic material is vital for the grower and landowner - it provides the right start for farmers and others getting involved in forestry and will bring rewards in higher yields and better quality timber.
John Fennessy, research manager COFORD, one of the report's authors, outlined the objectives of the report and went on to say: The report presents a framework towards self sufficiency in reproductive material as well as a blueprint on how to develop well adapted, high quality forest reproductive material to meet current needs of the forestry and related sectors, taking into account future climate change scenarios.
The report contains a number of recommendations including the establishment of a National Forest Genetic Resources Advisory Group, the targeting of a prioritised list of tree species for investment in improvement, and that a forest genetic resources national conservation strategy be developed to include both native and non-native species.
ENDS
Sustaining and developing Ireland's forest genetic resources - an outline strategy - Gerard Cahalane, Pat Doody, Gerry Douglas, John Fennessy, Conor O'Reilly, Alistair Pfeifer
