Vol. 450 No. 6
179 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the way in which the recent expansion of the EU will affect the Irish timber industry; and if the expansion will lead to a review of the afforestation programme. [5614/95]
The timber trade in the EU has long been liberalised and the three countries which recently joined the EU were consequently in a position to trade freely in that unrestricted market prior to their EU entry. Accordingly, the recent expansion of the EU does not change the pattern of trade within the EU.
The current afforestation programme which covers the period up to 1997 is strongly supported by the Irish timber industry. It underpins the further development of the industry and the Government remains committed to the achievement of its ambitious afforestation targets. Afforestation policy in the longer term requires careful consideration of many factors, including developments in the EU. Issues affecting the competitiveness and efficiency of the Irish timber industry will be addressed in the strategic plan for the development of the Irish forest sector, which I will be publishing later this year.
