A Midlands and North West MEP says the reason farmers are selling their land to forestry companies is that they cannot avail of grants that are given to larger conglomerates to improve profits.
Matt Carthy was speaking after an EU level report highlighted the issue of afforestation in County Leitrim.
The report called “EU Forests in Danger”, highlights the management, biodiversity and community rights issues across 11 EU Member States.
MEP Carthy says the government’s policy needs to change when it comes to Ireland’s forestry strategy and he also says the grants system must be examined.
