Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland (DANI)
Overall responsibilities and interests in forestry
DANI Forest Agency is the body responsible for advising on the development of forestry policy in Northern Ireland and for implementing that policy throughout Northern Ireland.
DANI Forestry Agency's Mission:
The sustainable management of Northern Ireland woods and forests, and a steady expansion of tree cover to increase the many diverse benefits that forestry provides.
DANI Forestry Agency web site.
Forestry research in DANI is conducted within both the Forest Agency and DANI Science Service.
DANI forestry research aims to create opportunity for the expansion of the wooded area in Northern Ireland through enabling the development of environmentally sensitive land use options for the production of timber, solutions to problems of timber production and fundamental knowledge relevant to afforestation. Research is also investigating the growing and disease problems of coppice plantations and the potential for growing and utilising biomass from coppiced willow for generation of energy with special emphasis on Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. The potential for pulp production from hybrid poplar is being investigated and the potential for silvopastoral agroforestry systems in Northern Ireland is being examined as part of a UK National Network Experiment.
Current mechanism for consultation and setting of research priorities.
All forestry research in Northern Ireland is conducted in-house by DANI. The Department employs a variety of complementary mechanisms to determine research priorities and the nature and extent of its research programmes. The close integration of policy and research responsibilities within DANI, and also the close interaction between DANI and industry and other external customers ensures a well-targeted programme is in place. A DANI R&D Strategy Committee, comprised of leading figures in the external agri-food/environment/consumer sectors, advises the Department on its overall research strategy. In determining the programme, the Department also takes account of local, national and international impacting factors and participates in inter-Departmental and other formal mechanisms to avoid duplication and ensure compementarity of research in a national / international context. Where appropriate, DANI forestry research is coordinated with, and in some cases leads, national research programmes.
All proposed research is subject to scrutiny by DANI Policy Divisions and its progress and outputs are rigorously examined and managed through an Annual Research Review process. Particular emphasis is placed on the transfer of applied research findings to industry, farmers and the wider community.
Outline of funding mechanisms
DANI's main provider of forestry research is its Forest Agency and Science Service. However the Department also seeks and employs joint, collaborative funding from industry and other national and EU public sources.
Contact points for further information
Mr Malcolm Beatty, Chief Executive, DANI Forest Agency : malcolm.beatty@dani.gov.uk
Professor Cecil McMurray, DANI Chief Scientific Officer : cecil.mcmurray@dani.gov.uk
