Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2004
216 Mr. Ó Fearghail asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the desirability of achieving an affordable rate of 20,000 hectares per annum; the strategies she will employ to achieve this target; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28552/04]
View answerThe planting target of 20,000 hectares per annum was established under the 1996 Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland — Growing for the Future. This target was re-affirmed recently in Peter Bacon and Associates Review and Appraisal of Ireland's Forestry Development Strategy, September 2004, although it was also noted that a lesser annual planting figure could be justified if the planting was undertaken in a manner that maximised the non-timber benefits.
In terms of the strategies employed to achieve this target, my Department offers a 100% afforestation grant covering the costs associated with the establishment of the plantation, coupled with a 20 year premium for farmers and a 15 year premium for non-farmers to cover loss of income. In addition, earnings from commercial forestry are exempt from income taxes and from capital gains tax on the timber asset.
The advent of the single payment scheme in 2005 and the concessions offered to farm foresters in regard to the consolidation of entitlements, means that prospective farm foresters are currently in the position of being able to afforest up to 50% of their average claimed eligible land while receiving full single payment entitlements and also their twenty year forestry premium. As a result, there has never been a better time for farmers to participate in the afforestation programme. I would therefore urge all landowners considering forestry as a land use option, to make best use of the generous supports currently available.
217 Mr. Ó Fearghail asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the way in which the afforestation programme may contribute to enabling Ireland to achieve its Kyoto commitments. [28555/04]
View answerThe main contribution from forestry towards meeting Ireland's commitments under Article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol will be through the planting of new forests since 1990. These forests will remove considerable amounts of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere by the beginning of the first commitment period of the protocol, in 2008.
Current estimates suggest that over the five years of the first commitment period under Kyoto, from 2008 to 2012, these forests will be storing in excess of 1.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. Ireland's annual reduction target at that time, given current measures and trends, will be some 10.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. Forestry will therefore comprise 16% of the emission reductions required. Ireland has the highest growth rates for a range of tree species in Europe. As a result afforestation has the ability to deliver real climate benefits within a relatively short time-frame, certainly within six to ten years.
In addition, the development of a wood fuel industry would ensure a carbon-neutral energy source and reduce overall emissions of carbon dioxide.
