Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 October 2020
396. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the governing authority over the protection of the forest estate here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27758/20]
View answerThe role of my Department is to oversee the development of forestry in a manner which is compatible with the economic, social and environmental sustainability objectives of the Government as a whole.
The Department is also designated as the National Plant Protection Organisation and is responsible for the implementation of the relevant Official Controls Regulation and the Plant Health Regulations. This works involve import controls, export certification and surveys of the national forest estate for a range of protected zone and other harmful organisms.
The Forestry Inspectorate implements the forestry aspects of my Department’s plant health policy, strategic and legislative responsibilities in close partnership with other Divisions of my Department including Horticulture and Plant Health Division and the Plant Health Laboratory.
This work includes
- The formulation and implementation of policy and legislation and the development of related trade and operational requirements to deliver legislative compliance
- horizon scanning and risk assessment for the emergence of potential new threats to our forests
- an extensive programme of annual national forest health surveys for a range of harmful organisms.
- import controls for a range of controlled wood and wood products including Wood Packaging Material to prevent the potential import of a harmful organism.
My Department is also responsible for the national programme for the production of ISPM 15 compliant WPM to facilitate Irish exports.
