Division over plans to create forests on land in Leitrim as a private commercial venture.
The demographics of the population in County Leitrim are changing. In 1978, one in every three men living in Leitrim was over the age of 50. In 1971, the population of the county was 28,500. Experts believe that after 15 years, the population will have dropped to just 20,000. Part of the reason for the depopulation is migration in search of work. Much of the land in the county is not suitable for farming.
Only 1 in 25 acres in Leitrim is suitable for tillage farming and the use of farm machinery is hindered by small farms, steep slopes and wet soil conditions.
In 1978, An Foras Talúntais published the 'County Leitrim Resource Survey' recognised the challenges for farming in Leitrim and recommended some radical and costly measures to address them. Few of the recommendations were implemented.
One of the development areas identified in the report was the forestry potential in County Leitrim. The report identified that 71 per cent of land is capable of producing Sitka spruce at yields above the national average. The report suggested that a timber processing plant would follow in time with the potential to employ 3,500 people. This would require planting one in five acres of Leitrim within 25 years.
Throughout the European Economic Community (EEC), 80 per cent of forests are owned on a co-operative basis or privately owned. In Ireland, the figure is just five per cent of new plantations. The remainder is state-owned.
Woodland Investment, a company based in Blessington County Wicklow, sees efficient afforestation as the formula for commercial success. Owner of Woodland Investment Brian Hussey outlines his vision for forests or acquiring bare land on which to plant trees. He describes it as a very capital-intensive business with a slow return on investment. Woodland Investment establishes forests and then sells them to private investors and pension funds. Woodland Investment has the backing of the Allied Irish Investment Bank, The Irish Life Company and Seacom Limited.
Some Leitrim farmers were angered when Woodland Investment started to buy up land in Leitrim. At one meeting, farmer John Joe Smith from Ballinamore reminded Brian Hussey how the infamous landlord Lord Leitrim had been shot. This was a warning from farmers that they were not happy about investors buying up land and pushing up prices. John Joe Smith has five sons and says at least one of them would be interested in farming. Young people who want a career in farming have no hope of buying land when they are competing with investors for land.
Not everyone objects to planting. Woodland Investment has recently planted trees outside the village of Dromahair, County Leitrim. One man living alone near the site has no objections to these tree plantations.
Brian Hussey argues that the ability to grow trees is a great strength. He says he is bringing derelict land back into production and providing economic stimulus and employment to the region.
The choice is not between agriculture and forestry. The choice is between growing rushes or growing trees.
One man favours lands being zoned specifically for forestry so that it does not take from other agricultural uses.
Another man outside Glenfarne works a farm of around 100 cattle. Like other farmers, he is suspicious of private afforestation that could devalue nearby properties. He argues that forests can interfere with a view and can attract vermin like foxes and grey crows. He believes that Brian Hussey has been underhanded in his approach to buying land in the area.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 13 March 1985. The reporters are Tommie Gorman and Andrew Kelly.
