Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
662. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1255 of 2 November 2021, if his attention has been drawn to clear fell sites which have not fulfilled their replanting obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55471/21]
View answerAs I previously mentioned, every tree felling licence, save limited exceptions carries an obligation to replant. Forests that are clear felled on maturity are managed as a crop, therefore, it is in the forest owner’s interest to replant after felling, to start a new rotation.
My Department carries out post-felling inspections. Provisions within the Forestry Act 2014 apply to non-compliance with the requirement to replant and can include for instance the issuance of a replanting order.
At all times, reports from the public indicating where trees have not been replanted – within the replanting timeframe, are welcomed and will be followed up directly by my Department.
