Dan Boyle
Question:86 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the Government intends to undertake a review of the development of the commercial forestry sector here. [16007/03]
Written Answers. - Forestry Development.
As the Deputy is aware, the basis of Government policy on forestry is the strategic plan "Growing for the Future", published in 1996, which covers, inter alia, the development of the commercial forestry sector. The document represents a blueprint for forestry policy up to 2030. The objective of the plan was to support the development of forestry to a scale and in a manner that maximises its contribution to the national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis and that is compatible with the environment. The plan dealt with matters such as afforestation levels, species diversity, forest management, amenity and recreation, forest protection and health, harvesting and transport, sawmilling, research, legislation, education and training, and so on.
This plan is now seven years old and needs to be reviewed. Many significant changes have come about both in the forestry sector and in the economy in general over this period. I have directed that a review of the plan be undertaken this year. A commitment to do this is contained in the new partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress. The review will involve wide stakeholder consultation and the revised plan will provide a framework to enable the forestry sector to realise its full potential and contribute to our economic and social well-being. The review of the national climate change strategy, together with the mid-term reviews of the CAP rural development plan and various operational programmes under the national development plan which are currently under way, will also inform the review of the sector.