Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
604. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be mandatory professional forester involvement in the small-scale tree planting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47277/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
On 4 April 2022, the new legislation was signed into law by the president. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.
The exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland would be available through a scheme which my Department now intends to design and implement. The involvement of a professional forester is something that will be considered in the design phase. The development of the scheme will be undertaken following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments and be subject to a public consultation.
