Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
780. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline in detail his proposal for the future of the forestry sector, with particular reference for plans to plant 8,000 hectares of land each year for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40296/23]
View answerI believe that the new €1.3 billion 2023-2027 Forestry Programme, which aims to support the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State, will encourage an increase in planting and provide the basis for the achievement of the target of 8,000 hectares per year set out in the Climate Action Plan.
I am pleased to confirm that the Programme's Afforestation Scheme for the 2023-2027 period opened for applications on the 6th of September. It offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options.
The annual broadleaf target has also increased from 30% to 50% of total annual planting. This is reflected in a substantial increase of 66% in premium rates for the establishment of a native forest, as well as five additional years of premiums for farmers across most forest types.
Agroforestry has been revised significantly. Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015, and the new Afforestation Scheme will increase the period for premiums from five to 10 years. To date, support has targeted the establishment of silvopastoral systems which combine forestry and pasture, including grazing and the growing of fodder. It is proposed to expand this in the next Forestry Programme with pilot schemes for silvoarable and forest gardening systems.
Emergent Forest is a further new Forest Type offered under the Afforestation Scheme. This will support the retention and appropriate management of suitable areas of ‘scrub’, which represent an important biodiversity feature within the landscape, with the potential for delivering many ecosystem services.
The Programme also contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removes the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is our 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 Native Tree Area Scheme is expected to open for applications in the coming weeks.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I am confident that the diverse range of forest types, coupled with attractive grants and premiums, will support landowners to plant trees in a manner that will provide lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment and wider societal benefits.
