Forestry Act (Northern-Ireland) 2010 (Chapter 10).

This Act provides for the management and protection of forest resources in Northern Ireland. It, among other things, specifies functions and powers of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, provides for the protection of trees from damage and provides for restrictions on the felling of trees.The Department shall promote forestry on a wider footing than the traditional primary role of developing afforestation, the supply of timber, and the maintenance of reserves of growing trees. It shall have various powers for the improvement of public land including compulsory purchase powers to provide or improve access to any land for the purposes of its functions under the Act.The Act provide for the protection of forest trees from damage by wild animals. It empowers the Department to request that occupiers of land adjoining forest take effective measures against wild animals that pose a threat to that forest. The Department also may take measures to prevent fire risk from vegetation on uncultivated land adjoining a forest. The application for felling licences will be prescribed in subordinate regulations. A licence of not less than five years will be granted subject to a felling management plan for the land in question, and may specify the timing of felling, the restocking of the land and other conditions, such as maintaining the character of ancient woodland. Regulations may provide for details on the form, content and amendment etc. of management plans.The Act defines the statutory right for pedestrian access to all forestry land. This access will be limited in some instances, for example, where there are forestry operations, or environmental sensitivities.

Implemented by: Forestry Land Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. No. 30 of 2013). (2013-02-11)
Implemented by: Forestry (Felling of Trees) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. No. 139 of 2013). (2013-05-15)
Implemented by: Forestry (Felling of Trees) (Calculation of the Area of Land) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 (S.R. No. 137 of 2013). (2013-05-15)