asked the Minister for Lands if he will state if the Forestry Division last year had a surplus of forest tree transplants, and if they were destroyed; and, if so, if he will state the reason for such destruction; and whether there is a similar surplus this year, and whether it is intended to destroy it; and, if so, if he will state the reason.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forest Trees.
Last year, as a result of the curtailment of the planting programme, due to lack of fencing materials, the Forestry Division had a surplus of certain varieties of transplants, all three years old or over. With the exception of Sitka Spruce, which was too large to retain and was accordingly destroyed, the balance was lined out for another year.
This year again there will be a surplus of transplants, all three years old or over, in the Department's nurseries, and it will be necessary to get rid of those which will be too large for retention.
The process of lining out (or transplanting) cannot be continued indefinitely, and unless the plants can ultimately be utilised the cost of relining would be a loss. All this is ordinary nursery practice, but surpluses are greater this year and last than has hitherto happened, due to the circumstances of the time. Transplants are normally three years old when planted out, so that nursery programmes have to be planned three years ahead of the planting programme. Apart from seasonal variations in yield, etc., any alteration in the anticipated programme of planting must result in an excess or a deficit of plants. The present position could not have been foreseen three years ago; but to cut down the nursery programme for the current year, for instance, would affect the planting programme three years hence, when conditions may be entirely altered and a normal or even an extended planting programme may be desired.
It may be added that the Department have been willing to dispose of their surplus plants to the wholesale trade at prices covering costs of production, but an important section of the trade is opposed to this, and, consequently, the suggestion has had to be abandoned.
Are we to understand that, because a section of the wholesale trade is opposed to the sale of these transplants by the Department of Lands, trees are being burned which could be used by some wholesalers as well as by some farmers in the country?
I went into this question very carefully last year, and, having regard to all the considerations, I decided that, in the circumstances, I would not be justified in arranging for the sale of surplus plants to members of the wholesale trade. I do not consider myself bound by that decision as to what I may do during the present year. I have explained the difficulties to the Deputy. No other solution seems to offer to deal with the situation.
Is the Minister not aware that transplants of larch for example should take place this month? Otherwise, the trees will have run into leaf and cannot be transplanted. Is the Minister suggesting the possibility that trees will be destroyed this year that could be used by wholesalers as well as by farmers simply because some wholesalers, for their own particular trade purposes, are objecting to the disposal by the Department of Lands of trees that are available for transplanting?
Is the Minister not aware that the county committees of agriculture have schemes for the distribution of trees amongst farmers in their districts? The only limitation on their schemes is that they have not sufficient funds, and, in view of that, will the Minister consider offering those transplants to the county committees?
That would raise the important question of interference, or of seeming interference, by the forestry branch with the wholesale trade.
Not a bit of it.
And because of that we have to burn the blooming trees.
Are we to understand that trees are going to be destroyed rather than be given to the county committees of agriculture in the manner suggested by Deputy Allen? I am aware that there are many farmers unable to get supplies of trees from the county committees.
If the Deputy knows of such cases, why does he not bring them under notice? I desire to point out that there has been very little response to the scheme which the Forestry Branch is responsible for in connection with the replanting of small areas by farmers.
I am shocked to learn that trees are going to be destroyed because of the attitude of a small section of the wholesale trade while at the same time we have many farmers who cannot get a supply of trees.