Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
69 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food further to the recent Bacon review of the forestry sector, the proposals she intends to pursue to develop the sector, particularly in reaching the planting target set out in the programme for Government 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29304/04]
View answerThe planting target of 20,000 hectares per annum set out in An Agreed Programme for Government reflects the target set in Growing for the Future, published in 1996. The average number of hectares planted per annum since 1996 was 14,000 hectares.
The Review and Appraisal of Ireland's Forestry Development Strategy, published by Peter Bacon and Associates recently, is a key element in the review of the sector. The proposals in the review are being considered in conjunction with the draft EU regulation on rural development policy, which proposes reductions in EU financial support for forestry. The Bacon report reaffirmed the need for an approved planting target of 20,000 hectares per annum but a lesser planting target could be a viable basis for support, providing the planting maximises the non-timber benefits.
Until such time as, the final terms of the draft rural development regulation are known and its likely impact on Irish forestry assessed, it would be unwise to bring forward new forestry proposals.
The current availability of grant-aid at 100% for planting and generous annual premiums together with the concession in relation to the stacking entitlements vis-à-vis the single payment scheme, make forestry an attractive land-use option for farmers.
