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Forest Service Agency

Forest Service is an executive agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland. It is responsible for promoting the interests of forestry in Northern Ireland, the development of afforestation, the production and supply of timber and the maintenance of adequate reserves of growing trees. This includes the delivery of social, recreational and environmental benefits for the public at large. The following key ministerial targets have been set for the agency for the 2005–06 business year:"To publish a strategy for the delivery of forest policy and begin the legal process to support implementation;""To establish 500 hectares of new plantations;""To sell 400,000m³ of timber to the wood processing sector;""To renew certification under the UK woodland assurance standard."