The land under forestry at the end of 1998 totalled 620,000 hectares or 9 per cent of the land area of the country. The strategic plan for the forestry sector, "Growing for the Future", proposes an increase to 17 per cent by 2030. The plan sets out planting targets of 20,000 hectares annually from 2001 onwards. Some £500 million has been earmarked for the afforestation programme under the national development plan, the focus of which will be new planting by or on behalf of farmers.
I have identified the need to increase the level of grants and premia for afforestation and discussions with the European Commission are at an advanced stage. I confirm that the increased rates, when agreed, will benefit all planting which takes place during the current season. I am also in the process of ensuring there will be greater compatibility between forestry and REPS under the new rural development programme.