Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016
560. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to report on the requirement to replant lands as per the issuing of a felling licence when the lands in question were never the subject of either an instalment grant or annual premium as administered under any forestry programme run by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14735/16]
View answerUnder the Forestry Act, 1946, a General Felling Licence for clearfell of forested land carries a standard obligatory condition to replant the felled area. This replanting condition applies whether or not forestry grants or premiums have been paid in respect of that forested area.
A Limited Felling Licence should be sought where an applicant does not wish to replant the felled area. For any felling project which is for commercial gain (any ‘business’ such as farming, industrial, wind farm, housing developments, etc.), the applicant is required to replant the felled site, or to plant an alternative site in lieu of the felled area.
