Vol. 506 No. 6
13 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has for the future expansion of the forestry industry within the life of the next operational programme in the years 2000 to 2006. [15977/99]
The policy for the continued development of forestry is set out in the strategic plan, Growing for the Future, which was approved by Government and the EU Commission in 1996 and covers the period to 2035. The aim of the strategic plan is to develop forestry to a scale and in a manner which maximises the sector's contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis, compatible with the best environmental standards. Continued investment to support delivery of forestry strategy has been strongly endorsed by the ESRI, the regional authorities, the Western Development Commission and ICTU.
There is an interdependence between forestry and agriculture, rural development, tourism, industrial policy and the environment. This is recognised in the new focus on rural development policy at EU level. Forestry development cannot be considered from a strictly sectoral point of view or on a strictly economic basis. Its typically long-time scales also mean that the benefits of investment in forestry are themselves long-term. The case for forestry is made on the basis of its economic, social and environmental benefit. The ESRI has endorsed the benefits of forestry as a carbon sink which has a significant role in meeting our commitment to reduce greenhouse gases under the Kyoto agreement. The optimum scale and rate of development of the sector will continue to be balanced with issues such as the availability of land, the production potential of the species and sites planted and the effect of acceler ated and concentrated forestry development on rural areas.
Forestry is a permanently renewable resource, maintained through the cycle of afforestation, harvesting and reafforestation and the principle of sustained yield – for example, maintaining a sustainable balance between timber production and timber harvesting.
Additional Information
The wider concept of sustainable forest management, which encompasses all the ecological, social and economic issues inherent in forestry, has been developing at national and international level in recent years. In this context, my Department is currently preparing a national sustainable development strategy which will set out all appropriate criteria and parameters for sustainable forestry development into the future.
The strategic plan for the forestry resource covers not only planting and harvesting strategies but also the processing of timber in both the industrial and craft sectors and associated activities such as transport, harvesting, and nurseries. All these activities provide additional employment and add value.
Does the Minister agree that a further area of conflict in land policy is the competition between the incentives for afforestation and those to continue in farming? The aim under the Operational Programme for Forestry was to plant 25,000 hectares each year between 1996 and 2000, and 20,000 per year after that. While overall planting reached 24,000 hectares in 1995, the hectarage area in 1996 was 21,000 and in 1997 and 1998 it fell to 14,000 in each year.
A question, Deputy Sheehan.
The conflict may even increase under the disadvantaged areas scheme where payments will switch from headage payments to area payments in the next few years. What effect will that have on the forestry industry? Planting each year is less than half the target in the Operational Programme for Forestry, 1996-2000. What will it be in the next decade? Will it be zero on account of the switch to acreage payments to replace headage payments for cattle? What is the Minister's view on that?
The Deputy said planting levels fell to less than 14,000 hectares in 1997 and 1998. That is incorrect, the figure is even lower. I hate to admit it but in 1997 planting targets reached 11,500 hectares. I am happy to say they went up to 12,500 hectares in 1998, although I am still very unhappy. I assure the Deputy the points he raised are being taken into account. It is my intention that come 2035 – maybe we will still be in office then—
Wishful thinking.
—the overall target of 17 per cent will be achieved.
It is interesting to note that we thought 7 per cent of the land was covered but when we introduced the forestry inventory programme, we found 9 per cent was covered. I intend to put forestry in a better position than REPS is at present so as to encourage farmers to see forestry as a real option. We must also consider the definition of a farmer because it seems to have a different definition in terms of REPS than under the forestry programme. I am looking for consistency.
A great sales programme must be undertaken by ourselves, Coillte and everyone involved in forestry to convince the farmer that forestry is a real option. We have not managed to do that yet. The farmer may be a little worried that if he becomes involved in forestry and moves away from conventional farming, people may talk about him after Mass on Sunday. We must undertake a sales programme in this regard.
I initiated a forestry forum and appointed Gerry Daly, who is famous for great gardening, as chairman. It has met five times already. I am convinced it will be able to advise me on how to take this further and to move closer to the targets proposed.
That concludes Priority Questions.
I have another question.
I am sorry Deputy, the Chair has no power in the matter as the six minutes allocated for the question are long since concluded.
I am afraid the policy is in severe crisis.
It is in safe hands.
