A group of forestry and agricultural organisations has called on the government to intervene in a forestry partnership between Coillte and a UK investment fund. London-headquartered Gresham House last week launched its new €200 million Irish forestry fund which is backed by the semi-state agency. The new fund, which is aiming for a portfolio of around 12,000ha of new and existing forests, is supported by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund which is managed and controlled by the National Treasury Management Agency. Patrick Lawless, managing director, Gresham House, Ireland, has claimed the new fund will “create a platform for enhancing Ireland’s forestry sector, delivering real change and momentum and making a meaningful contribution to Ireland’s crucial afforestation ambitions”. …Some of the country’s main forestry organisations issued a press statement where they “strongly opposed” the new partnership. “We believe a situation where rural Ireland is being sold off must be avoided.”