Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
899. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the circumstances in which an appropriate assessment or other environmental study is required, and any other legal requirements to be complied with, for the planting of native woodland in areas of not greater than one hectare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35589/23]
View answerThe Government has the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation. 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.
The changes introduced as part of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, allow the introduction of Regulations to facilitate small scale planting of native tree areas without the need to first obtain an afforestation licence. 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
This exemption facilitates the exclusion of clearly defined activities from requiring an afforestation licence in certain specific circumstances. In addition it is an enabling proposal that allows forests to be created through initiatives, other than the afforestation scheme, such as ACRES, thereby contributing to Ireland’s targets in relation to a wide range of environmental priorities particularly climate change, biodiversity and water quality.
It is proposed that the exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland will be available through the Native Tree Area Scheme which my Department has designed and which will be finalised following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments
Importantly the requirement to comply with environmental law is not undermined by making this change as all works will be controlled by regulation through the Departmental scheme. 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.
The Native Tree area scheme will form part of new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 which is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines from the EU Commission. My Department has been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission to date, in order to secure this approval.
