Coillte, Ireland’s state forestry company, has been awarded Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.
The presentation, made in Dublin last week, coincided with the launch of Coillte’s Social and Environmental Report A Vital Resource – A Report on the Sustainable Management of Coillte’s Forests.
The certificate, which was presented by FSC-accredited auditor SGS-QUALIFOR, was accepted by Coillte chairman Ray MacSharry and chief executive Martin Lowery.
Mr MacSharry said: ‘In Coillte, we believe it is not only possible, but essential, to manage our forests in a way that is commercially successful, environmentally responsible and that delivers social benefits.’
He said that over the past two years Coillte had developed a much more structured approach to managing the environmental and social aspects of its business. These issues were now centre stage to ensure they were addressed with the same attention as the commercial aspects. Earlier this year Coillte reported profits of €25.5m for 2000.
Coillte’s social and environmental report highlights steps being taken on those issues and, in future, progress will be reported on an annual basis.
Mr Lowery said: ‘Coillte’s forests, which cover 438,000ha, are a vital national resource that contribute in a significant and positive manner to the well-being of the countryside.’
The report details some of the measures that Coillte will use to monitor progress of its economic, social and environmental objectives.
