asked the Minister for Energy if he has studied the recent EC policy statement on forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Forestry Policy.
30.
I have studied the recent paper on the Community Strategy and Action Programme for Forestry. It is a welcome breakthrough in EC policy for forestry. An active contribution is being made at present by my Department to discussions at Working Group level on development of this programme.
The strategy for forestry provides for substantial increases in the level of EC aid for forestry programmes. In the medium term a three and a half fold increase in the level of EC funds devoted to forestry between 1989 and 1993 is envisaged. It also recognises for the first time the role that public forestry can play in the development of this sector.