The total area — hectares — of afforestation grant aided by my Department in each of the last five years is as follows:
Year
|
Hectares
|
1999
|
12,668
|
2000
|
15,695
|
2001
|
15,464
|
2002
|
15,054
|
2003
|
9,097
|
The average correlation between the number of hectares and trees planted is in the order of 3,000 trees per hectare.
While an exact breakdown on the lines requested by the Deputy is not available, the level of Sitka Spruce grant-aided has been averaging less than 60% annually over the last five years. The percentage of Western Red Cedar planted is very low by comparison, of the order of 1% annually.
There are no statistics available in my Department in respect of non-grant aided tree planting. While the level of such planting for commercial purposes is likely to be limited both the national parks and wildlife service and local authorities undertake significant tree planting for environmental purposes.