Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2014
231. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was alerted by the Forest Service to the vulnerability of ancient woodland seed banks in terms of disease threats, in view of the fact that a management plan in place it is very difficult to ensure the security of the sites as well as ability to control any potential outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35357/14]
View answerConservation and development of forest genetic resources are fundamental to realising national forest policy goals. Increasing emphasis on biodiversity conservation at ecosystem and genetic levels runs hand in hand with developing the genetic resource of native species and their expanding role as envisaged in the new forestry programme for the period 2014 – 2020.
Through the native woodland scheme (establishment and conservation) my Department is committed to promoting and encouraging the use of better adapted, home-collected forest reproductive material. To further progress this objective, the new draft Forestry Programme calls for new suitable seed stands to be identified and registered in the National Catalogue of Seed Stands. These seed stands may then be eligible for support under the Forest Genetic Reproductive Material Scheme where aid will be provided to improve the management and protection of these important sites. Existing registered seed stands from which seed is not currently being collected will also be eligible for this support. The objective of this scheme will be to increase production of quality seed leading to better adapted, more resilient and productive forests.
The detailed rules for the Forest Genetic Reproductive Material Scheme are currently being drafted and it is too early to state the exact terms and conditions of the scheme. However, there are clear benefits in having a forest management plan in place as part of having a registered seed stand.
