Ireland is set to miss its annual forestry target once again this year. According to a report by Social, Economic Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA), 1,024 ha have been planted in the year so far — trailing far behind the target of 8,000ha. “Planting continues to disappoint, it is now beyond doubt that we will miss the annual target, with the only question now being by how much,” said the private sector group. …Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted an assessment to the Government that highlighted that Ireland will need to plant far more than the 8,000 ha per year to meet its climate action commitments. …The EPA’s suggestions also stressed that Ireland’s policy position of carbon neutrality by 2050 will depend on the forest sector acting as a carbon sink to offset residual emissions.