Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
819. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there are no metrics on his proposal for new afforestation sites less than one hectare in the recently published plan; if there will be an approval process for such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10840/22]
View answerThe Government has the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation. This includes greater integration between the measures in the National Forestry Programme and the Common Agriculture Policy.
However, the inclusion of small-scale tree planting measures in schemes is constrained by the 0.1ha size limit imposed by the forest definition in the Forestry Act 2014.
Key to the success of increasing afforestation rates is to build confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry as a viable option to complement existing enterprises. Introducing an exemption for the afforestation in certain circumstances facilitates the exclusion of clearly defined activities from requiring an afforestation licence. This exemption is an enabling proposal that allows forests to be created through initiatives, other than the afforestation scheme, thereby contributing to Ireland’s targets in relation to a wide range of environmental priorities particularly climate change, biodiversity and water quality.
These proposed changes are being introduced as part of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021, which will allow the Minister to make Regulations to facilitate small scale planting of native tree areas without the need to first obtain an afforestation licence. This Bill has progressed through all stages in the legislative process in the Dail and is currently before the Seanad for Committee Stage debate. There are no metrics included in the licensing plan as the legislation must still be passed by the Oireachtas.
Importantly, the requirement to comply with environmental law is not undermined by making this change as all works are controlled by regulation through a Departmental scheme. The development of a scheme will be undertaken following the completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments. Eligibility criteria will be incorporated into the scheme which will ensure that all tree planting works are undertaken in a legally compliant and sustainable manner.
