Paul Bradford
Question:20 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Energy if he will target part of the EC funds allocated to integrated rural development for private forestry, especially hardwood planting.
Written Answers. - Hardwood Planting.
Almost half of the available EC funds allocated to forestry under the operational programme for rural development has been set aside to benefit private forestry and 20 per cent of this has been earmarked for the development of 800 hectares of planned recreational forestry by the private sector. Most of this will involve hardwood planting.
In addition, the planting of hardwoods will be encouraged under the operational programme for forestry which proposes substantial increases in the grants available for broadleaved trees. The total EC funds proposed for the development of private forestry, taking all schemes into account, will exceed £36 million over the period 1989-93.