Skip the NI Direct Bar

This is the home page for the 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."

New Forestry Act

A major part of the Forestry Act (Northern Ireland) 2010, became law on 13 September 2010. It was introduced by the Forestry (2010 Act) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010. The Schedule of the Commencement Order will tell you which part of the new Act are now in force.(more ...)

2011 Farm Woodland Premium Scheme Update


To meet EC requirements Forest Service introduced an annual claim process for 2011 Farm Woodland Premium Scheme payments and in August 2011 all eligible businesses were written to inviting them to claim.

About 1200 claims for Farm Woodland Premium Scheme were received and Forest Service has been working to validate claims for payment. All inspections are complete and payments to beneficiaries will be made in December (around 70%) and January (the remaining 30%).

Any specific queries should be made to Afforestation & Plant Health Branch on 028 9076 5391 or by email to grants.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk

Forest Information on NI Direct

Forest Service has recently moved all public facing content in relation to forests and outdoor recreation to NI Direct.

All information can now be accessed on the Forest pages on NI Direct (external link)

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.

Letting of Shooting Rights

The Forest Service has currently a number of forests available for the letting of Shooting Rights.

Should anybody be interested in obtaining a copy of the list of lettings, follow this link: Letting of Shooting Rights 2012

or write to:

Forest Service
Estate Management Administration
Room 23
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
Ballymiscaw
BELFAST
BT4 3SB

Telephone: 028 9052 4014

Email: forest.estateadmin@dardni.gov.uk

Request a copy of the lettings for Shooting 2012 stating your name and full postal address, and a copy will be forwarded to you.

All completed tenders must be received by 3.00pm on 29 February 2012.