Written Answers. - Forestry Industry Development.
John Ellis
Question:
275
Mr. Ellis
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
the range of existing environmental controls applicable for forestry development; the plans, if any, he has for changes in this policy in view of his speech to the Committee on Sustainable Development on 5 July 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3536/96]
John Ellis
Question:
276
Mr. Ellis
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
his views on the issue of certification of timber coming from sustainably managed sources; the EU fora in which the issue is being discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3538/96]
John Ellis
Question:
277
Mr. Ellis
asked the
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry
the progress, if any, made on fulfilment of or commitment under the Rio forest principle towards a national plan for sustainable forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[3539/96]
I propose to take Questions 275, 276 and 277 together.
First, as stated in my presentation to the Committee on Sustainable Development, I support and have committed myself to the principle of sustainable forestry development but Ireland is not yet at the stage of full implementation. Preparation of a national plan for sustainable forestry under the Rio Forest Principles will be undertaken once the Strategy for the Development of the Forestry Sector has been published.
The range of environmental controls on forestry development is outlined in the following list. Other than in relation to continuing discussions with the Department of the Environment on planning permission and environmental impact assessment thresholds for forestry, no changes have been made pending, as I indicated at the time, the outcome of both the strategy (which will encompass environmental issues) and the national sustainable forestry plan.
The certification of timber coming from sustainably managed resources, both tropical and temperate, is an issue which is receiving increasing attention internationally. A Group on Certification has been established by the EU Directorate General on the Environment, on which my Department is represented.
Certification is basically a market-based instrument and is not the only way to secure sustainable forest management. It is an extremely complex issue, raising matters such as the criteria for measuring sustainable management, reliable, comparable and independent certification, limited resources in some producing countries, tracing of timber from forest to finished product and possible trade discrimination, to name but a few. Discussions in the EU Group show that consumer demand for timber from sustainably managed forests, and in particular tropical forests, has led to certification initiatives being undertaken in some member states, while in others (including Ireland) there is as yet no appreciable demand. I intend to keep in touch with developments on certification, as they may have implications for trade in Irish timber.
Forest Service Environmental Controls on Forestry.
The current arranagements for assessment of the environmental aspects of forestry are:
1. It is a condition of EU grant approval of the CAP Afforestation Programme that grants are not available for areas which are protected or qualify for protection under the EU Bird Directive or Habitat Directive. Seventy-five areas are currently listed under the Bird Directive; no areas are as yet listed under the Habitats Directive.
2. It is a general condition of grant-aid that development is compatible with the protection of the environment.
3. Under the Planning and Development Acts, an Environment Impact Assessment must be undertaken and planning permission obtained for initial afforestation over 200 hectares or for the replacement of more than 10 hectares of broadleaf high forest with conifers.
4. All projects must be submitted for grant approval before work begins, so that environmental factors can be taken into account.
5. Where environmental considerations are identified, other State agencies and local authorities are consulted in relation to
—Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs), listed by the Wildlife Service
—areas of landscape or amenity interest, with reference to the County Development Plans and the 1977 Inventory of Outstanding Landscapes,
—areas of fisheries interest, with reference to the Regional Fisheries Boards,
—areas of archaeological interest, with reference to the Sites and Monuments Records (SMRs) of the Office of Public Works.
6. Published Guidelines on the Landscape, Fisheries and Archaeology must be implemented by grant-aid forestry.
7. Grant-aid is not available for planning within at least 30 metres of an occupied dwelling house or associated building (either the applicant's or another's) or within 10 metres of a public road.
Applications for grant assistance have been refused and proposed projects adjusted where the Department has seen fit to do so on environmental grounds.
