Tag Archives: Department of Agriculture

The final report and recommendations of the Forestry Policy Review Group, entitled, Forests, Products and People – Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision, was launched in Dublin this Wednesday by Minster of State, Tom Hayes. This is of particular interest for  Clare, as there has been a big increase in forestry projects in the county in recent years. Talks, field trips and practical demonstrations are held on a regular basis by Teagasc, while farm organisations and other accredited groups are also heavily involved in promoting the business. A Forest Policy Review Group was established by the (then) Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in April 2010 to review State forestry policy to take account of its critical role in relation to climate change and its importance to construction, bio-energy, bio-diversity and its potential to deliver long-term employment in other downstream industries such as eco-tourism, furniture, crafts etc. The group, which comprised of a wide range of stakeholders, met on …

SUCH is the difficulty in accessing the location where 17 horses, cattle and calves were found dumped at Baltard Cliffs in Doonbeg last week, the animals may have to be burned. Kilrush Gardai are still investigating the discovery of the dead animals, news of which was broken in last week’s Clare Champion. “Enquiries are ongoing in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Clare County Council, The Irish Horse Welfare Trust and the ISPCA. Door to door enquiries have also been carried out,” Kilrush Gardai said on Wednesday, adding that they would welcome any further information from members of the public. Meanwhile, Clare ISPCA Officer Frankie Coote described the location of the dead animals as “perilous” adding that it may prove impossible to remove them. He did not discount suggestions that they may have to be burned where they lie. “It would be one of the options open to them I’d say. I personally feel that you couldn’t get a digger, …