Seán Sherlock
Question:109. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences that were allocated in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [7058/22]
View answerThursday, 10 February 2022
Questions (109)
Written answers
In 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued 525 forestry licences and in 2021 that number was 502. In January this year, 64 afforestation licences were issued.
The Department issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020, and met our revised target of 4,000 licences. It is our intention to build on this momentum in 2022 and the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 was published last week. This will have a significant focus on afforestation.
The licensing plan contains a target of 5,250 licences issues which is a year-on-year increase of 30% and includes:
- A higher priority will be given to afforestation licences for 2022 with a 107% increase in output targeted up to 1,040.
- There will be a year-on-year increase of 48% of private felling, roads and afforestation files. Coillte felling licences will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021.
- The Department will also refocus on the delivery of most approvals from several schemes including Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback), the Reconstitution of Woodland Scheme (Frost), the Native Woodland Scheme and a proposed small-scale planting scheme for up to one hectare of native species.
A greater concern for all of us must be that the number of afforestation applications has continued its downward decline in 2021. Reversing this trend, I believe requires a concerted effort now, from everybody with an interest in seeing more trees planted in Ireland. 2022 will be a big year for farmers with the arrival of a new CAP and new Forestry Programme and it is important that the benefits of afforestation are well understood by them.
The Department is, as always, ready to play its part and assist in improving communications. We understand of course that improved licensing output has a role to play hence the importance attached to improved licensing output in 2022.
However, positive messaging around the benefit of afforestation is the responsibility of all, particularly those with a direct line of communication to farmers and landowners.
Questions Nos. 110 and 111 answered orally.