84 ‘alleged illegal forestry’ incidents reported so far this year
A total of 84 alleged illegal forestry (AIF) incidents have been reported so far this year, leading to 65 investigations and eight replanting orders totalling 33.93ha.
These numbers were recently provided by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon in response to a question by Longford-Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke.
The Sinn Féin TD asked the minister to provide information on enforcement actions taken in cases of illegal tree felling.
She also queried the extent of deforestation in the state over the past five years; the number of hectares of woodland cleared annually; and the primary reasons for such deforestation.
Deputy Clarke also asked about the measures being implemented to protect native woodlands and increase afforestation rates.
Minister Heydon replied: “Forestry in Ireland operates within a legal and regulatory framework and my department acts on non-compliance, including deforestation.
“Felling of trees requires a licence, with an obligation to replant, and felling of trees without a licence is an offence under section 26 of the Forestry Act.”
The minister said that replanting orders are “the primary method used, alongside prosecutions for non-compliance with the Forestry Act, to ensure replanting obligations are met”.
He added: “The EU Deforestation Regulation also aims to prevent the placement of products on the market from deforested areas.”
Alleged Illegal Forestry
The minister shared a table of the number of alleged illegal forestry (AIF) incidents reported and acted upon since 2021.
He added that his department “follows up on all reports of deforestation, but all reports may not lead to legal action”.
Year | Number of AIFs Reported | Number of Investigations | Number of Prosecutions | Number of Replanting Orders issued | Area (ha) |
| 2021 | 89 | 18 | 0 | 18 | n/a |
| 2022 | 151 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 45.30 |
| 2023 | 196 | 142 | 2 | 30 | 50.80 |
| 2024 | 176 | 138 | 3 | 14 | 25.13 |
| 2025 | 157 | 104 | 2 | 3 | 44.28 |
| 2026 | 84 | 65 | 0 | 8 | 33.93 |
The minister went on to outline the predicted harvest for each year since 2021 according to the latest Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) All Ireland Roundwood Production report.
He said: “It should be noted that all harvested areas must be replanted as part of the felling licence conditionality.”
| Year | Private Thinnings (ha) | Private Clearfell (ha) | Coillte Thinnings (ha) | Coillte Clearfell (ha) | Total Area (ha) |
| 2021 | 9,097 | 3,245 | 16,448 | 5,863 | 34,653 |
| 2022 | 11,124 | 3,539 | 16,448 | 5,863 | 36,974 |
| 2023 | 12,577 | 4,914 | 16,448 | 5,863 | 39,802 |
| 2024 | 12,043 | 4,652 | 16,448 | 5,863 | 39,006 |
| 2025 | 13,100 | 5,105 | 16,448 | 5,863 | 40,516 |
| 2026 | 19,022 | 5,476 | 15,125 | 5,863 | 45,486 |
The minister said: “My department’s Felling and Reforestation Policy however, does outline scenarios where forests can be permanently removed, such as supporting renewable energy projects, or where there are overriding environmental considerations.”
“To assist the promotion of broadleaf, targets for broadleaf have been increased along with a significant increase in premiums, when establishing a native forest.
“In addition, the Native Tree Area Scheme facilitates small-scale planting. Finally, the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme provides financial support for appropriate management of existing native woodland.”
The minister said landowners who planted conifers that wish to replant with native trees should apply to the Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme.
Sitka spruce
Separately, Minister Heydon recently answered a query about Sitka spruce by Wicklow-Wexford Fine Gael TD Martin Brennan.
Deputy Brennan asked about the area of Sitka spruce planted compared to that of broadleaves and native conifers planted
Minister Heydon added: “In area terms, there has been a 95% reduction in the planting of Sitka spruce from 12,970ha in 1993 to 701ha in 2025."
He added that in 2025, "nearly two-thirds (65.9%) of the area was afforested with broadleaves, mostly native broadleaves”.
