Vol. 498 No. 4
96 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the Government's policy in relation to forest plantation; the amount of forest planting which is comprised of native broadleaf tree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27377/98]
The Government's policy is to develop forestry to a scale and in a manner which maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis and which is compatible with the protection of the environment.
The target for annual broadleaf afforestation is and will continue to be 20 per cent of total annual afforestation. A recent survey has shown that broadleaf trees account for 21 per cent of Ireland's forests.
In the years 1995 to 1997 the level of broadleaf afforestation averaged 19.6 per cent of total afforestation. Native broadleaf afforestation, of which the main species planted are oak and ash, represented 11.6 per cent of total afforestation for the same period.
