Forestry Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Questions (962)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

962. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is reluctant to accept the UN recommendation for countries to leave untouched all peat soils of 10 cm depth rather than afforesting and reafforesting sites with peat depths of 30 cm, 40 cm and even 50 cm deep peat, as alluded to in Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 26 April 2023; if he can at least assure this Deputy that he will end afforestation and reafforestation on peat soils of a greater depth than 15 cm, given that his Government itself has published as part of the EU Green Deal ‘Keeping Ireland Green: 12 Stories about the EU and Ireland’s Environment’ with an introduction by him in which it is stated in section 9 that ‘A climate change solution beneath our feet’ that ‘It is estimated that a 15cm thick layer of peat contains more carbon per hectare than a tropical forest.'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27834/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Organic soils are an extremely important store of carbon in Ireland. My Department has been engaging with farmers to develop sustainable land management options for those who have organic soils under agricultural management. These options provide for a range of activities to protect the carbon stock and restore sequestration associated with drained organic soils. The activities also aim to maximise other ecosystem service co-benefits such as protection of biodiversity, water quality and water regulation. Working together with farmers these management activities will build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Forestry is one of the land-use options available to farmers and as part of the development of the Forest Strategy 2023 to 2030, my Department is continuing to reassess its policy with regard to future afforestation on organic soils and depth of peat. Careful consideration is being given to environmental law and the European Commission State Aid Guidelines when it comes to the afforestation of sensitive habitats such as peatlands or wetlands.

As mitigating climate change is a central objective of the afforestation scheme it is imperative any loss of carbon from organic soils through any proposed future afforestation will be more than offset by the growing forests removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. My Department is working on the development of proposals in relation to afforestation of organic soils in agricultural use which deliver a positive greenhouse balance. These proposals will consider peat depth, species selection, site productivity and the potential for future drainage.

The management of existing forests on organic soils also has the potential to make an effective and resilient contribution to climate change mitigation. My Departments Felling and Reforestation Policy document outlines a suite of management options for those forests which are due to be felled. Through the development of forest policy, such as the Forest Strategy, the Department will continue to engage with land-stake holders and wider society on these matters.