Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2004
33 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the progress being made to reach targets set for forestry planting here; and the extent to which Ireland continues to rely on timber imports. [9199/04]
View answerCurrent Government policy on forestry in Ireland is informed by Growing for the Future — A Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland. I recently announced a review of this strategy which will examine, inter alia, planting targets as well as national and international timber market developments. This review will be completed by September this year.
With regard to planting in the current year, applications for planting approval have been received for over 17,000 hectares in the current planting season. These applications are at various stages of processing. I am confident that planting levels of at least 10,000 hectares can be achieved in 2004 and that forestry will continue to be an attractive option under the reformed CAP.
In 2002 the Irish sawnwood market amounted to 1.4 million cu. m. Irish grown timber accounted for 602,000 cu. m., or 43% of the market. Irish processors are particularly strong in the pallet wood and fencing markets where they supply 75% of the market. A total of 34% of the needs of the construction market are served by Irish timber.
