Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
587. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the assistance being provided to ash tree farmers and providers and the measures to prevent the spread of ash die back disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11813/20]
View answerMy Department re-introduced a revised reconstitution scheme for plantations affected by Ash Dieback, known as the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) or RUS on Wednesday 10th June. The revised Scheme offers significant support on top of the €7m already spent since the first support scheme for Ash Dieback was introduced in 2013. The scheme provides a suite of options that will give owners the opportunity to recover the maximum economic value possible from their affected ash plantations.
This revised scheme represents a change in approach and takes account of the evidence and scientific advice that the eradication of Ash Dieback is no longer feasible. The measures now introduced are instead aimed at reducing disease levels and the rate of spread of the disease.
Plantations can be managed through thinning interventions under the existing Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS), or if forest owners choose to do so, replant the entire site under a reconstitution option. RUS, for the first time, introduces a new silvicultural technique - underplanting - to handling the issue of Ash Dieback in Ireland. This novel approach allows owners to retain just under 40% of their plantation while replanting the spaces created; remaining trees providing shelter for the younger trees as they emerge from competing vegetation. The scheme offers maximum flexibility with all 12 planting options available to landowners where appropriate including agroforestry.
Forest owners affected by Ash Dieback are no longer required to report these occurrences to my Department. This means that notification letters will no longer be issued.
