Forestry Grants

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2013

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Questions (213)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers who planted land and are at the end of their 20 years for payment and, subsequent to that allows the forestry to mature and then sell off the timber: if they are obliged to replant all of that land again; if they do so are they entitled to start again and reapply for funding for the replantation; if they once again qualify for a new forestry scheme for the ground that is planted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9494/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In order to preserve the forest estate and to protect the considerable State investment in forestry to date, it is the policy of this Department that all grant-aided plantations must be replanted after clear-fell has taken place. On this basis only General Felling Licences are issued for normal commercial forestry operations and, under the Forestry Act, 1946, such licences carry a compulsory replanting condition.

My Department does not operate any reforestation schemes. Therefore, replanting is not grant-aided.