Willie Penrose
Question:39 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her priorities in the forestry sector in the short and medium term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24499/04]
View answerWednesday, 13 October 2004
Questions (39)
Written answers
This country enjoys many advantages for the growing of trees. Approximately 10% of our land area is covered by trees, considerably less than the European average of 35%. Our forest estate is young by international standards and we have yet to reach the goal of a viable, mature industry that can maximise benefits — including the many non-timber benefits — to society. My priority is to establish the structures and support systems that will enable us to reach that goal.
Considerable private planting has taken place in recent years. Since 1996, farmers have planted in the order of 100,000 hectares of forestry and this represents a significant land use change in a relatively short period of time. Farmers represent the future of forestry in Ireland and there are clear opportunities for more investment in forestry with the entitlement to plant up to 50% of a holding without affecting the single payment entitlements. Given the significant changes in recent times in the context in which forestry exists, I want to revisit the policy being followed since 1996 and build on the foundations already there to maximise development opportunities. The recently published Bacon review makes an important contribution to this process and is being examined closely in my Department.
The draft rural development regulation published during the summer by the European Commission sets the legal basis for support of the forestry sector for the period 2007 to 2013. The draft, in its current form, could have serious implications for the support structure for Irish forestry. To ensure that our negotiators have access to the widest perspective possible, I have established a liaison group comprising representatives of the industry to feed into the negotiating process.