Timber Risk Score: 100 / 100 in 2019. The Timber Legality Risk Assessment contains an evaluation of the risk of illegality in Ireland for five categories and 21 sub-categories of law. We found:
- Specified risk for 0 sub-categories.
- Low risk for 14 sub-categories.
- No legal requirements for 7 sub-categories.
This page provides an overview of the legality risks related to timber produced in Ireland.
11% (0.77 million ha) of Ireland is covered by forests (as of 2017). In 2015 the distributon between distribution between naturally-regenerated and planted forest was:
- About 9% is naturally-regenerated forest
- About 91% is planted forest
Roundwood production totalled 2.9 million m3 in 2015. The forestry sector (including wood processing and pulp and paper) contributed USD 743.8 million to the economy in 2011, or nearly 0.4% of the GDP.
NEPCon has evaluated Ireland as low risk for illegally harvested timber. Companies sourcing timber from Ireland should still take care to ensure that risks are not present in their supply chains.
This risk assessment was prepared between 2014-2018 according to the FSC-STD-40-005. The approved FSC Risk Assessment can be downloaded in the FSC Document Centre. ONLY Risk Assessments that have been formally reviewed and approved by FSC can be used by an FSC candidate or certified companies in risk assessments and will meet the FSC standards without further verification.
Score: 74 / 100 in 2021
Rank: 13 out of 180 countries in 2021
There are currently no armed conflicts in Ireland according to the Council on Foreign Relations' Global Conflict Tracker.
FSC Certified Forest Area: 445,441 hectares (4 December 2019)
PEFC Certified Forest Area: 442,951 hectares (31 December 2019).
Information gathering
- Find out the different sources of legal timber
- Determine which source type your timber comes from
Timber source | Description of source type |
---|---|
Woodlands - HCV |
Timber from woodlands that are mainly of broadleaves and areas of high conservation value. They are state-owned and managed by NPWS. |
Woodlands - production forest |
Mixed woodlands with some level of management over long periods. |
Woodland - amenity forest | Timber from amenity woodlands and trees in urban areas. |
Old plantations | Timber from old state-owned production plantations. These are large plantations that dominate on a wide variety of sites. The plantations are managed by the state forestry company, Coillte. |
New plantations | Timber from farm-owned production plantations. The plantations are, managed by farmers, forestry consultants and contractors with advice from the Forest Service. The average size is 9 ha. Nearly all have been established to best practice and the new guidelines required by the Forest Service for grant aid. |
Mix of new and old plantations | Timber from production plantations that are a mix of both old and new plantations, managed by corporations with a strong management emphasis on quality timber production. |
Risk assessment
Low risk of illegality. We found that any breaches of applicable laws are temporary, unusual, limited in their impact, and effectively controlled by the relevant authorities.
Risk mitigation
We have not identified any specified risks and therefore have not suggested any mitigation actions.