Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 4

Written Answers. - Afforestation Programme.

P. J. Sheehan

Question:

28 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will consider that all future commercial forestry plantation applications must include at least 30 per cent broadleaves in view of the fact that these varieties are a central feature of the Government's strategic plan for forestry. [16232/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The Strategic Plan for the development of the forestry sector set out targets of 20 per cent for broadleaf planting, 20 per cent for diverse conifer planting and 60 per cent for sitka spruce planting on a national level. I feel that it is too early to revisit these targets which after all were set only in 1996.

It is worth noting however that significant progress has already been achieved with broadleaves. The 20 per cent target is now being met and this compares favourably with the early years of this decade when broadleaf planting was only at 3 per cent to 4 per cent.

In this regard the current grant and premium schemes include: a new category called 20 per cent diverse which will result in all sites to be planted having at least 20 per cent of a second conifer species and a 10 per cent broadleaf content, site permitting; the elimination of the existing non-diverse category which effectively ends the practice of monoculture or single species planting sites; a supplement to the loss of income premium payable to farmers who plant a better quality land. Moving to better quality land will improve the opportunities for the planting of more diverse conifer species and broadleaves and an emphasis on the traditional Irish-Continental model of broadleaf planting which entails a higher stocking of plants per hectare in order to improve timber quality. The grant levels have been adjusted to reflect the higher costs which the modification entails.

I fully recognise the need to promote greater diversity and in that context the bias towards the diverse planting of conifers and of broadleaves, including in the new grant aid premium rates, to which I have referred, is particularly relevant. However, quality of land is crucial in dictating the opportunity for diversity of species. Many broadleaved species are very demanding of land quality while the conifer species are more productive on poorer type soils while also, of course, being necessary to meet the economic targets specified in the plan.

An assessment of species will, of course, be included in any ongoing review of the strategic plan.