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Forest Service of Northern Ireland

Here you will be able to find the latest information relating to business related areas of the Forest Service.
The Forest Service is an Executive Agency within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and is subject to the overall direction of the Minister with responsibility for the Department.The Chief Executive is responsible to the Minister for the Agency's operations and performance. The Minister sets annual targets for the Forest Service, and monitors the Agency's performance. The outcomes of these targets are published in the Forest Service Annual Reports.The Management Board consists of the Chief Executive, three executive directors and on non-executive director. The Chief Executive has overall responsibility for achieving the aims, objectives and targets set out in the Corporate Business Plans, with each executive director having responsibility for achieving objectives and targets within their management control.  (more ...)
Aims
The aims of the Agency are:
"to manage existing woods and forests, to promote economic and environmental benefits, provide recreational opportunities for the people of Northern Ireland, and to secure a steady expansion of tree cover to increase these benefits and opportunities."

Forestry Act (Northern Ireland) 2010

A further part of the Forestry Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 came into operation on 17 March 2013, with the introduction of new byelaws for the Department’s forestry land. The schedules of the two commencement orders will tell you which parts of the Act are in force. (more...)

Chalara dieback of Ash

Current situation in Northern Ireland
Fifty premises have been confirmed positive for the fungus Chalara fraxinea. Forty-seven of these are recently planted sites in all six counties, with an additional three findings in nursery/retail/trade situations.

Assessment of the Existing and Potential Development Opportunities Available from Northern Ireland forests.

A study was commissioned by NI Tourist Board and Forest Service with the purpose of gathering and analysing tourism information and providing evidence based proposals for tourism development in Northern Ireland’s forests.
Read more here:

Outbreak of Phytophthora ramorum in Japanese larch woodland

For details of the current outbreak of P. ramorum in Japanese Larch in Northern Ireland see the P ramorum page
The road haulage and processing of Phytophthora affected wood will be permitted under licence system.
For further details see the DARD Licence System page.

Glenariff Forest Park opened after weather closure

Glenariff Forest Park opening after weather closure
Due to the recent bad weather access to the forest is limited. The car park and some paths reopened on 17 April.
Warning
Paths may still have debris on them, so great care should be taken when walking. Work continues to clear all paths.
Please note
The Waterfall and Rainbow Trails will be closed until further notice while damage is assessed and repairs made.
The caravan and camping sites reopened on 19 April.