For Immediate Release
15th February 2024
 
The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has published a guide to Specified Biomass Harvesting (SBH) as part of sustainable forest management. Ireland has grown a significant forest resource over the past century since independence, with much of this forest resource now reaching harvest stage. Maximising the value of this harvest, while protecting the forest environment and optimising future crops are challenges that are being addressed through sustainable forest management.
 
Noel Gavigan, IrBEA Technical Executive and co-author of the report said: “As a biomass fuel, SBH displaces fossil fuels with significant greenhouse gas savings. This is achieved through fossil displacement and avoidance of emissions from decaying residues on site. Where SBH is harvested reforestation costs can be lowered and regeneration is more uniform.”
 
SBH has the potential to provide a significant amount of renewable fuel while facilitating regeneration and closing the forest cycle.

Eugene Hendrick, chairman of the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) said: “Irish foresters and forest owners, and those involved in forest certification now have the guidance to hand to enable sustainable harvest of an additional forest energy assortment through SBH. This publication brings together previous research and summarises current best practice. Following the guidance will provide for better biomass and better future forests assurance to growers.
 
Donal Whelan, Technical Director of the Irish Timber Growers Association said “This SBH document is a win-win for forest owners by improving returns, the environment by reducing replanting ground disturbance and windrowing requirements, and the State in facilitating the achievement of national bioenergy and climate change targets.”

Kenneth Worrell, Worrell Harvesting said, “I welcome the launch of this report which demonstrates the sustainability of our certified harvesting systems which is supported with our Log-Watch traceability system and will open the opportunity to sustainably harvest SBH from certified forests.”

Seán Finan, IrBEA CEO concluded “We call on Minister Ryan and his Government to urgently recognise the significant role that solid biomass can play in decarbonising our energy uses. A basic first step is to recognise the potential of solid biomass in key Government policy documents and as a readily available decarbonisation option in achieving renewable energy targets. We need to also see an enhanced focus and increased promotion by Government, of the biomass support available through the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH).”

ENDS.
For further information contact Noel Gavigan 087-6845977 [email protected]
 
Notes to editors
The document  can be found on the IrBEA website at https://www.irbea.org/specified-biomass-harvesting-good-practice-guidance-energy-assortment-harvesting-clearfell/

What is Specified Biomass Harvesting (SBH)
Typically, forests are mostly grown for roundwood production. Specified Biomass Harvesting (SBH) refers to the planned and specified harvesting of tops and branches which are removed during normal felling operations for use in energy or other uses according to market demand. SBH also facilitates forest regeneration, more efficient subsequent crop management, and more uniform and higher quality crops in future cycles. IrBEA has published this technical guide aimed at foresters, forest owners, environmentalists to outline how SBH should be practised in a cost-effective and sustainable way, while addressing. The IrBEA document has been welcomed by the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine, as it provides important information and guidance on energy assortment harvesting considering sustainable forest management.

About the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA)
IrBEA was founded in 1999. Its role is to promote the bioenergy industry and to develop this important sector on the island of Ireland. The diverse membership includes farmers and foresters, fuel suppliers, energy development companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, engineers, financiers and tax advisers, legal firms, consultants, planners, research organisations, local authorities, education, and advisory bodies – anyone with an interest in the bioenergy industry. IrBEA is recognised by Government and agencies as the voice of the bioenergy industry. The association’s main objectives are to influence policy makers to promote the development of bioenergy, and to promote the interests of members. Improving public awareness, networking, and information sharing, and liaising with similar interest groups are other key areas of work in promoting bioenergy as an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable energy. Further information on the association is available at www.irbea.org
​
About the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme
IrBEA manages and administers the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) Scheme. The scheme certifies suppliers of wood fuels including firewood, chip, pellet, and briquette. Certification is to the quality standard I.S. EN ISO 17225 Solid biofuels — Fuel specifications and classes. The standard is used across the globe for specification, trade and regulatory purposes in relation to wood fuels.
The WFQA is governed by a steering committee made up of representatives of the WFQA membership, IrBEA industry members, DAFM, SEAI and a consumer representative. WFQA members are audited and certified annually based on conformity to I.S. EN ISO 17225. WFQA certification satisfies the requirements for wood fuels under the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) & the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022. Further details are available at www.wfqa.org

The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has identified the valuable, renewable biomass fuel resource provided by Specified Biomass Harvesting (SBH), which is an abundant source of renewable fuel for use in larger scale heat and power generation. This report provides a guide for foresters and stakeholders on how to harvest SBH without adversely affecting the forest or local ecosystems and environment.
Ireland's forestry resource has the potential to provide large volumes of by-product material for energy use through harvesting specified biomass during normal thinning and harvesting operations. This by-product material, which is in addition to the harvesting of timber and pulp products, is usually described as the side branches and tops of trees - material also known as brash, which will otherwise be left in the forest site. By harvesting this material through specified means, it is possible to generate large volumes of useful biomass for energy while enhancing sustainable forest management practices. It is critically important that this harvesting is carried out in a manner that protects the future productivity of the forest, the local ecosystems, and water courses. This guide, which was developed by the Irish Bioenergy Association with contributions from its members and associated organizations and stakeholders, will greatly assist foresters and other stakeholders in determining what material can be harvested while ensuring optimal forest production and protection of the local environment.
Read the full report here.