Vol. 456 No. 6
168 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to introduce a tiered grant scheme for afforestation, in order to keep the price of land competitive vis-à-vis agricultural purposes and forestry. [14348/95]
I have no plans to modify the current afforestation grant scheme for the purpose suggested by the Deputy. The current rates of support are necessary in maintaining the momentum of our national forestry programme and in enabling us to meet planting targets. It is worth mentioning that 71 per cent of afforestation on privately-owned lands in 1994 was undertaken by farmers themselves. This was equivalent to almost half of all afforestation undertaken in that year.
