A new report is confirming that County Leitrim has the highest percentage of forest cover in the country.
Just over two-thirds of owners of forests in Leitrim had planted on their own land, while 26% were investors — in other words they bought the land or the forestry for investment.
The figures are from a study led by Dr Aine Nui Dhubhain of UCD
The report found that more than 30% of forest owners were not resident in Ireland.
James Gallagher is a member of the IFA in Leitrim. He believes that figure is actually higher . . .and he feels there is a need for more transparency about such issues as who actually owns the land, and who is getting taxpayers’ money.
