Seán Sherlock
Question:366. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Departments anticipated actual afforestation rate for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51891/21]
View answerThursday, 21 October 2021
Questions (366)
Written answers
At present, there are approved licences issued, for sites ready and available to plant covering 5,700 hectares. I would encourage anyone with a valid afforestation licence to contact their forester and arrange planting.
Once planted, they may apply for the first of 15 annual premiums.
It is clear that significant increases in afforestation will be required over the next decade. I am aware that delays in issuing licences may be a contributory factor in terms of interest in planting. We are addressing the backlog through the Project Woodland initiative and September was the highest month for licence issue since April 2019.
Afforestation licences for almost 3,400 hectares have issued this year and we now have a dedicated team of 10 ecologists working on afforestation files ahead of the planting season.
It is important that the Department receives good quality applications from applicants and that they respond to any requests for further information. We are in regular contact with registered foresters and applicants on this.
Regarding projections for 2022, considering the voluntary nature of the Scheme, it is not possible to determine the area that will be planted. We are examining opportunities to further incentivise afforestation measures in the context of the next forestry programme and the next CAP and my Department will be engaging with all relevant stakeholders over the next 12 months. We will be encouraging farmers, state bodies, communities and businesses to plant trees for both timber and to mitigate against the impacts of climate change.