Forest Service calls on the farming community to have their say on the future of forests in Down

Forest Service, an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), has launched a public engagement regarding forests in Down.

Castlewellan Forest Park taken from Annsborough

Calling on the farming community to respond to the engagement, Planning Forester, Breandan Mulholland said: “This is the seventh consultation since 2017 in relation to forest plans and the response from the rural community has been fantastic. We have received responses from a diverse range of stakeholders including those representing the farming industry, countryside sports and local communities.”

“Forestry planning helps us deliver many services from our forests and woodlands, such as timber production and capture of carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. Regular reviews of forest plans ensure that they are up to date and allows us to monitor our forests to enable them to continue to meet the diverse and sometimes competing needs of people, wildlife, and wood processing industries.”

“With an estimated forest cover of around 8,800 hectares in Down, forests and woodlands are a significant part of the rural landscape and economy. Around 40% of these forests and woodlands are non-Forest Service.”

“Forest Service seeks greater involvement of people in the revision of its forest plans. Plans will consider Forest Service forests and make references to other woodlands. Members of the farming community can help by telling us what is important to them.”  The consultation can be accessed via the ‘Citizen Space’ website, or for assistance ring 028 7034 0867.

Breandan Mulholland concluded: “Forests are a vital natural resource which belong to us all. This is the last consultation to be held in the current review of forest plans, and it is particularly important that those living and working in the rural community have their say on the development of forest plans.”

The consultation runs from 23 September to 30 November 2022.

Notes to editors: 

1. This engagement is part of a wider programme. To date seven other engagements have being carried out. 
2. The consultation can be accessed via https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/scoping-new-forestry-plan-forests-and-woodland-down
3. Follow DAERA on Twitter at and Facebook.
4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk.
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page