asked the Minister for Lands the percentage of forestry which is privately owned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Forestry Industry.
38.
(Cavan): Pending completion of an inventory of private woodlands, at present being undertaken by my Department, firm figures for the percentage of privately owned forests are not available.
Earlier estimate had suggested that a total of less than 10 per cent of the total forest area was in private hands.
39.
asked the Minister for Lands if he has any plans for encouraging the development of forestry through private endeavour.
(Cavan): My Department already operate a private planting grant scheme. In addition those eligible for such grants are offered advice on planting free of charge. I also envisage the holding of a seminar designed to examine the problems of the private forestry sector.
Is the Minister aware —I take it he is—of the EEC proposals in regard to forestry in general?
(Cavan): I am.
Arising out of this new development, has he any particular plans with regard to private forestry here?
(Cavan): I am sure the Deputy knows the EEC Directive provides only for assistance to private forestry.
In certain cases, yes.
(Cavan): Conditions here do not lend themselves to extensive private afforestation. By and large, farms are small. Indeed, in latter years, as the value of agricultural land increases the planting of trees becomes less attractive. I would like to see the assistance proposed by the EEC extended to State forests because the vast majority of forests are State owned.
I am aware that State forests predominate, but does the Minister not agree enormous good could be achieved from the point of view of the environment, conservation and so on, through the encouragement of private forests? In so far as we have not been as active in the past in regard to private forestry as we might have been would the Minister not avail of this new proposal to bring about a departure from the programme to encourage widespread private forestry?
(Cavan): I would, indeed, but I must take the practical, common-sense approach.
Of course.
(Cavan): I personally am of the opinion that, because of the size of the farms, it is not likely there will be any extensive planting of trees as most farmers could not afford to give up land to afforestation and wait 30, 40 or 50 years for the trees to mature. In suitable cases we do all we can to encourage afforestation, but I believe that, if the EEC are giving any assistance, they should give it to the State.
In the discussions will the Minister ensure our particular situation—the comparative absence of private forestry in the past and the predominance of small farms—will be fully adverted to by the EEC in their decision? Will he accept that he is, perhaps, a little pessimistic as to the possibilities? Even the smallest farm can with advantage provide shelter belts on a small scale. Apart from that there are vast areas which could be made available for private forestry if the conditions were attractive enough.
(Cavan): The Deputy may take it I will do my utmost to have these directive interpreted in the best interests of the prevailing conditions here. The best evidence I can give of that is the fact that I have got Directive 160 altered to apply specifically to prevailing conditions here. I do not want to get into a political argument, but that directive was negotiated by my predecessor.
The matter is non-political. Trees are non-political.
(Cavan): The Deputy may rest assured that I have done and will continue to do everything to get these directives interpreted to our advantage.
40.
asked the Minister for Lands if he proposes to introduce any additional measures for the general protection of forests.
(Cavan): I take it that the Deputy is referring to the forest fire danger. I can assure him that the protection of the State forests from fire is kept under constant review and that measures are adopted to meet changing circumstances.
I hope the Chair will not rule me out, but I wonder what effort the State forest is making to prevent deer coming out of the forests?
(Cavan): I think that is a seperate question.
It is, but it is very relevant.
(Cavan): It would be relevant if it were on the Order Paper.
I will put down a question.