SDLP Newry Councillor Doire Finn is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) to provide support for the recovery of the district’s forests and woodlands following significant damage inflicted by Storm Éowyn.
Councillor Finn made the proposal at February’s meeting of the Sustainability & Environment Committee. The proposal was seconded by Cllr David Taylor and backed by all councillors.
Councillor Finn said:
“Woodland coverage in Northern Ireland stands at just 8.7%, which is far behind the European average of 37%. Forests and woodlands are vitally important for all of us: they improve air quality, support biodiversity, and help to alleviate flood risk.
“It is shocking to see the damage that has been inflicted on our district’s woodlands as a result of Storm Éowyn, and we need to act promptly and decisively to restore these areas. I spend a lot of time in the beautiful parks across the district and to see the loss of trees that have been there for decades is deeply saddening. That is why I took the initiative and requested that our council writes to the DAERA Minister seeking support and funding to restore and repopulate our woodlands, as well as helping other councils who have been impacted.
“This will not be an overnight fix, but the best time to start is now. I hope that the DAERA Minister will step up and provide us with the support we need to recover from the damage caused by this storm.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 