Vol. 504 No. 6
11 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the measures, if any, in his Department to reach the 20 per cent broadleaf planting target in view of the fact that only 3 per cent of the land that Coillte afforests is planted with broadleaves and broadleaves are not planted under Coillte's farm forestry partnership scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12415/99]
The strategic plan for the forestry sector, Growing for the Future, sets out an annual target of 20 per cent for broadleaf planting. This target has been met on average over the past three years. This compares with annual broadleaf planting of 2 per cent to 3 per cent in the mid-1980s. Grants and premiums under the afforestation scheme are and will continue to be heavily biased in favour of broadleaves. Under the Coillte farm partnership scheme, which accounts for approximately 40 per cent of coillte planting, the level of broadleaves is10 per cent. The level of broadleaves for the balance of Coillte planting is approximately 5 per cent.
Quality of land is crucial in dictating the opportunity for diversity of species. Many broadleaved species are demanding of land quality while conifer species are more productive on poorer soils. I understand from Coillte that the land becoming available to the company does not, as a rule, lend itself to broadleaf planting.
The emphasis is on increasing the diversity of species planted which will enhance the environment and broaden downstream timber processing activities and protect forest health. I am particularly anxious to see a reintroduction of native hardwoods.
I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Will he consult with the Heritage Council on this matter as it has very different views and a different understanding of what the document, Growing for the Future, entails? Will the Minister of State address the concerns it raises as regards the lack of monitoring of sites of architectural or conservation value and the risks to certain rivers and lakes from largescale afforestation? Does he accept it will be difficult to realise the 20 per cent target unless planting on good land is encouraged? Will he take that into account in the Coillte farm forestry partnership scheme? Is the Minister aware of the Heritage Council's view that the target for broadleaf planting should be 50 per cent rather than 20 per cent? It has highlighted the value added timber processing facilities and the empowerment of local communities brought about by a greater enthusiasm for broadleaf planting.
From time to time I discuss with the Heritage Council its views. Indeed, I discuss the views of many organisations involved in the timber industry. It is up to me to strike a balance, and the balance which is being struck is a reasonable one. I am satisfied the target as set is being achieved, and there may even be a bias towards the broadleaves. Like the Deputy, I have a particular interest in the environment. It might be no harm to say that conifers remove 100 turns of carbon from the atmosphere per hectare, which is far more than broadleaves, and they are, therefore, more efficient in combating the greenhouse effect. I am, however, very conscious of what the Deputy said and it is my intention to maintain the balance at 20 per cent at least.
Where does Ireland stand given that in the EU an average of 60 per cent of trees planted are broadleaves? Does he believe Ireland is not as good a country in which to grow trees as other European countries? Is he prepared to strike the balance set in Europe where broadleaves are a much greater feature of the economy and the landscape than in Ireland?
As the Deputy will know, it is very difficult to convince the Irish farmer to allow planting on good land. It is my intention to achieve the targets set out in the strategic plan but I must admit it is very difficult. At the moment farmers are inclined to make poorer quality land available for afforestation.
Rightly so.
It is not my intention to encourage anyone to plant broadleaves where they might not survive, and I am sure that would not be the view of the Deputy. I hope more good land will become available. Forestry and afforestation are very good alternatives for farmers to consider. Conifers will survive on poorer type soils whereas broadleaves will not. In the interests of the taxpayer and, indeed, the environment, I will not encourage the planting of broadleaves where such a plantation would not survive.
