Some may know that Ireland's forests are practically depleted. There are none of her virgin forests left. Only 9% of Ireland is under forest, and over 94% of that is foreign exotic plantations.

The second thing I want to tell you about is a proposed motorway that is planned to go through the Hill of Tara.{}

I am writing from Ireland to inform you of two tragedies that are occurring here.

Some may know that Ireland's forests are practically depleted. There are none of her virgin forests left. Only 9% of Ireland is under forest, and over 94% of that is foreign exotic plantations. Only 6% of our forests even contain native trees. This is largely due to the state who have exacerbated the destruction over the course of 200 years. However, in 2000,the state forest company (which owns about 66% of the forests in Ireland)were given the Forest Stewardship Council EcoLabel - as if their "forests" (more like crops) were ecologically sound. Their tree crops are like any other crops, they require chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and are reaped (via clearfelling).

There is a petition that has been started by the Woodland League Ireland which is aimed at reversing the damage done by the plantation style of forestry so rampant in Ireland.

Please sign it at http://www.petitiononline.com/rfpii

The second thing I want to tell you about is a proposed motorway that is planned to go through the Hill of Tara. As some will know, the Hill of Tara was one of the Celtic capitals, and is generally considered to be among the most important archaeological sites in the world. The Hill and the surrounding area are dotted with innumerable archaeological sites. The Hill itself is 4 miles in diameter. Our state has decided to put a 4-lane motorway within 1-mile of the apex of the Hill, which will carve the Hill and surrounding areas apart.

The Save the Tara/Skryne Valley have started a petition, online also, at

http://www.petitiononline.com/hilltara

Ciaran Hughes

Ireland

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