merrion street

Speaking during a visit to Rathcon Christmas Tree Farm, Andrew Doyle T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine encouraged people to buy a real Irish Christmas tree this year. Highlighting how society has become so much more aware of the negative impact plastic is having on our environment Minister Doyle said “I believe choosing a real Irish tree over a plastic tree will be a conscious decision for most Irish families this year.”
The Page family has been growing Christmas trees on their farm at Rathcon in West Wicklow since the late 1980’s when they decided to diversify away from traditional mixed farming enterprises. Commenting on the market, Minister Doyle explained how consumers now demand a high quality tree with the result that grower’s skills have really improved in recent years. He said “managing the Christmas tree crop is a year round task involving a significant time commitment.”
This year the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association is continuing its “Love a Real Tree Campaign” which encourages consumers to purchase a local real tree as opposed to an imported artificial tree. Trees grown by members of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers Association carry a “Real Irish Christmas Tree” label showing the tree has been grown in accordance with the Association’s code of good practice resulting in production of quality trees in an environmentally friendly manner.
The Minister concluded: “Around 600,000 Irish Christmas trees are expected to be harvested this year with a third of these exported mainly to the UK where Irish trees occupy a premium part of the market. Irish consumers can be assured that they are buying the freshest and the best when they buy an Irish tree. Real Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly, carbon neutral and everyone who buys an Irish tree is supporting Irish farmers and contributing to providing jobs in rural Ireland. At home we always have a real tree. It would not be the same without one.”

Note for editors.
The quality of Christmas trees produced in Ireland has increased significantly over recent years. Much of this improvement has been driven by investments under the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. This Scheme assists growers who wish to make investments in specialised equipment to manage and harvest the crop. The professionalism and quality of the Irish Christmas tree sector is epitomised by farmers like the Page Family.
Popular investments for Christmas tree growers under the Scheme include specialised tree pruners, tree netters and palletisers which protect quality and allow efficient transport.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2019 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is 19 December 2018. The Scheme is open to all horticulture sectors.
Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained at: https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/horticulture/horticultureschemes/