Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
97. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be implemented to deal with difficulties that have emerged from ash dieback and the concerns about spruce bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18425/24]
View answerI will be bringing a detailed Ash dieback action plan to Cabinet for approval in the very near future. This will outline comprehensive actions by my Department to deal with the issue of ash dieback. Detailed deliberations are taking place to ensure an efficient, appropriate and proportionate response.
Furthermore, a subgroup of the Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee has been established and will meet shortly. This group will work as a task force to ensure a greater level of engagement and action on ash dieback and other forest health matters.
In July 2023 my Department launched the Reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback under the new Programme 2023-27 with the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
My Department continues to issue approvals under the Reconstitution scheme. Reconstitution Scheme approvals have issued for circa 2,000 ha in the past 6 months and applications for a further 1,500 ha are currently being processed demonstrating increased demand for this scheme. I would urge ash forest owners who have not yet availed of the scheme to assist them in clearing their sites and replanting, to do so now. They will not be disadvantaged in relation to any further initiatives under the action plan.
As regards the bark beetle my Department continues to monitor the situation proactively and extremely closely. 100% of the consignments that come into Irish ports from the Scottish Pest Free Area are checked, prior to export by the Scottish Authorities and at the port of entry by my officials.
To further protect our forests, my Department has also negotiated an agreement with the Scottish authorities to increase the area within the Pest Free Zone from which imports to Ireland are no longer taking place.
Under my Department’s Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025 my Department committed to the establishment of a Plant Health Stakeholders’ Group. My officials recently hosted a very successful first meeting of the bark beetle stakeholder sub-group at which my officials took the opportunity to present the up to date position on a range of bark-beetles and associated measures being implemented. Further meetings will be organised.
It is imperative that all stakeholders remain vigilant and involved in relation to plant health in all its aspects, as it is a dynamic environment influenced by issues such as climate change, trade and the changing nature of trade.
