We the undersigned wish to register our concern over the certification of tree plantations in our country by the FSC, which has granted a green label to monoculture plantations that have proven to be socially and environmentally destructive.
We are aware that the FSC is carrying out a review of its plantation certification policy, and it is our hope that the result of this process will be an end to the certification of these types of plantations by the FSC in the future.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that the FSC has already certified large areas of monoculture tree plantations in our country, and we believe that their certification should be re-assessed as part of the current review process in order to determine whether they deserve to keep the FSC label.
There are well-documented cases of plantations in our country that never should have received this label and clearly merit de-certification.
As proof that the current review process is genuinely aimed at a profound change in plantation policy, we are calling for the immediate de-certification of the plantations that most blatantly violate the FSC's mission and the re-evaluation of all other certified plantations in the country.
We therefore demand the immediate de-certification of the plantations owned by Coillte.
Sincerely,
Andrew St. Ledger, PRO, The Woodland League, Ireland
Brendan Kelly, Founder, People Against Pesticides, Ireland
John Haughton, Chairman, Forest Friends Ireland/Cairde Na Coille, Ireland
Dr. Anne Ruimy-Keane, Secretary, The Doolough Protection Group, Ireland
Tony Lowes, Spokesperson, Friends of the Irish Environment, Ireland
Michael O’Callaghan, Co-Ordinator, GM-Free Ireland Network, Ireland
Adrian O’Sullivan, PRO, Save Saleen Wood Campaign, Ireland
Christine Raab-Heine, Director, Cavan-Leitrim Environmental Awareness Network, Ireland
Maura Harrington, Spokesperson, Shell to Sea, Ireland
S. MacAmhalghaidh, Founder, Hands-on-Heritage, Ireland
The People Before Profit Alliance, Ireland
The Davitt League, Ireland
For more information on some of the signatory groups:
www.woodlandleague.org
www.forestfriends.ie
www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net
www.gmfreeireland.org
www.shelltosea.com
www.people-before-profit.org
www.woodlandleague.org/communities/doolough/
