Written Answers Nos. 741-760
741. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline details of European forestry legislation on planting on peat and details of his Department’s policy on planting on peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39855/23]
View answer763. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine If he will provide actual details of European forestry legislation relating to planting on peat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39998/23]
View answer764. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the qualified authority that advised his Department on peat definition, which will be used to exclude land from commercial afforestation activity in the forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40000/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 741, 763 and 764 together.
Peat soils are an extremely important store of carbon in Ireland and any future afforestation must not undermine this function. As part of the development of the Forestry Programme 2023 to 2027, my Department reassessed its policy with regard to future afforestation on peat soils. Consideration had to be given to requirements of National and EU law when it comes to the afforestation of these areas.
Ireland is required to ensure that sinks and reservoirs, including forests, are conserved and enhanced, as appropriate, with a view to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and meeting the ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by 2050. These requirements are enshrined in national legislation through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and in European law through its regulation on land, land use change and forestry.
A 2005 study of forests on blanket peats found that these areas emitted 0.59 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year. More recent research funded by my Department has shown that forested blanket peats are emitting 1.68 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year - three times higher than previously estimated. The carbon balance of afforested areas on organic soils is initially a net removal, but based on these new emission factors, there is a gradual transition to a net emission after 1-3 rotations.
Taking into consideration the new legislative requirements and new science on emissions from peat soils, my Department developed two options for the future afforestation of organic soils in agricultural use, both of which deliver a positive greenhouse balance.
The first option allows for the planting of shallow peat soils in agricultural use where the depth of peat does not exceed 30cm and the site meets the minimum productivity requirements.
The second option allows the planting of trees on fens and cutaway raised bogs in agricultural use but restricted to native broadleaves. An additional requirement is that no new drains are installed and the site meets the minimum productivity requirements.
Associated criteria and thresholds that characterise these two options are included in the Forestry Standards Manual and Land Types for Afforestation Policy document. The requirements consider peat depth, species selection, site productivity and the potential for future drainage. These scheme requirements will be evaluated by landowners and their registered foresters when preparing their afforestation applications.
742. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what are the timelines that his Department works to in order to process afforestation sites approved and afforestation sites awaiting approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39856/23]
View answer747. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s target for afforestation this autumn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39865/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 747 together.
I am pleased to say that the new Afforestation Scheme, which offers an increased establishment grant and increased premiums for up to 20 years, was opened on 6th September 2023, and we are now in a position to grant afforestation licences and scheme approvals under the new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme. The aim with the new Forestry Programme is to achieve the annual planting target of 8,000 hectares per year.
All new licence applications will of course be subject to a comprehensive assessment process, to ensure compliance with environmental considerations. We also have licence applications that were received under the previous Programme which we continued to process but in respect of which we could not grant a licence until now.
Last month we wrote to approximately 440 applicants with current applications in the system, covering an area of approximately 3,900 hectares, offering them the opportunity to opt into the new Afforestation Scheme. To date, we have received opt-ins from almost half of these applicants and their applications are now being processed under the conditions of the new Afforestation scheme.
In addition, last week we issued letters to approximately 700 holders of valid Afforestation licences covering an area of approximately 5,500 hectares offering them the opportunity to opt into the new Afforestation scheme. If they choose to opt in, their current licence will be assessed under the new environmental conditions and financial approval to plant will issue for any areas that are compatible with these conditions.
We plan to start issuing licences and scheme approvals for these two opt-in categories in the week starting the 25th of September. These categories are a priority as they are most likely to lead to planting in the short term.
743. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how his Department will communicate to key stakeholders to ensure the forestry programme is fully understood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39857/23]
View answerA focussed and dedicated Communications and Promotion Campaign to inform stakeholders about the new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme is planned for the coming weeks.
My Department’s presence at the National Ploughing Championships this week is forestry-themed, with a dedicated area for promotion of the Programme.
An advertising campaign, which will include radio and print media, has also commenced this week.
A Farm Forestry Booklet and a grants and premium calculator is available on the Department’s website at: gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Schemes (www.gov.ie). This link also contains an FAQ document on the new Afforestation Scheme, which launched on the 6th of September.
Teagasc, in conjunction with my Department, is also holding an information webinar to promote the forest creation opportunities that are available in the new Programme. This webinar will be held on Tuesday 26 September, and is open to everyone. The webinar will also provide details of the upcoming nationwide series of in-person information meetings being held in early October. These important events will provide key details and insights for farmers and landowners considering new forest creation.
In addition to the above, my Department officials have already held information sessions with registered foresters, ecologists and with forestry representatives. Focused training sessions in relation to the new requirements will be held for foresters and ecologists in the near future.
Last week we also launched a public call for proposals for innovative projects to support and highlight the multi-functional benefits of forestry. This process is open to all, and has a particular emphasis on projects that will promote schemes under the new Forestry Programme, with a particular focus on engagement with farmers, existing forest owners and other landowners.
It is my belief that this campaign will inform all stakeholders of the opportunities available under the new Forestry Programme, and will bring a new impetus to planting and sustainable forest management.
746. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how forestry premiums per hectare per year compare with other farming enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39864/23]
View answerThe premium rates in the new Forestry Programme represent the calculation of income foregone from other farm enterprises and an additional amount for forest management and forest-environmental and climate services provided by the forest owner. The relevant rotation period for the mix of tree species was also taken into account so that the income foregone was considered for the rotation period rather than for the period of the premiums. The calculations considered the baseline income from farm enterprises contained in the National Farm Income Surveys in the previous three years in order to determine income foregone. In addition, farmers retain BPS/BISS payments.
The grant and premium calculations were subject to analysis in a Cost Benefit Analysis commissioned by my Department. The analysis showed that for farmers, depending on the forest type chosen, the internal rate of return was between 13.62% and 14.89%, resulting in a significant return from planting forests.
Income is obviously not the only consideration in deciding land use by farmers, but these premiums offer an attractive option to farmers to plant forests as part of their farm enterprise. The National Average Farm Income (average across farm enterprises) in the 2022 survey was €1,009 per hectare. The average premium payment across all forest types under the new programme is €1,003 per hectare, to which the BPS/BISS payment can be added in the majority of cases. I would caution, of course, in using averages, that the income from Dairy Farm Enterprise was an outlier at €2,332 per hectare in the 2022 survey.
The 2022 Farm income Survey presented the following earnings per hectare for different farm enterprises. These earnings include BPS payments.
|
Dairy Farm average per hectare |
€2,332 |
|
Cattle rearing average per hectare |
€301 |
|
Cattle other Farm average per hectare |
€506 |
|
Sheep Farm Average per hectare |
€366 |
|
Tillage Farm Average per hectare |
€1,087 |
This compares with forestry premiums ranging across 12 forest types, from €350 per hectare for emergent forestry, €746 per hectare for mixed high forests with mainly spruce, €1,103 per hectare for Native forests and €1,142 per hectare for forests for water. These rates do not include any BPS or BISS payments that might also be payable. Nor do they include the significant tax free income arising from thinning and harvesting.
749. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is scientifically solid and adherent to silvicultural standards to state that every area to be planted is suitable for growing 20% broadleaves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39867/23]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that the 20% broadleaf requirement will be achievable on the vast majority of sites.
The evaluation of site productivity, by using a method that includes giving existing vegetation on site combined Reaction plus Nitrogen (R+N) values, is part of the assessment that my Department undertakes on afforestation applications.
All sites submitted for afforestation under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 must reach a R+N score of 6 or greater. This will ensure that all sites will have a baseline level of fertility suitable for the growing of broadleaf trees, including ‘pioneer’ species such as birch, rowan, alder and willow. Such species are also observed regenerating naturally on many site types, when browsing pressure is not a restrictive factor.
Regarding silvicultural standards in the new Forestry Programme, broadleaf trees planted to fulfil the 20% requirement must satisfy the rules underpinning the relevant Forest Type they are being planted under (e.g. FT1 Native Forest). If planted as additional broadleaves within a plot dominated by conifers, (e.g. FT 12), the species selected must be suited to the immediate site conditions the trees are being planted into, and must be protected and maintained as necessary. This may require the use of deer shelters and / or the replacement of mortalities.
While presenting a challenge on some sites, my Department offers the availability of additional resources such as tree guards via the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer fencing scheme.
750. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will conduct an investigation into a local issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39868/23]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, the Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board. The matter to which the Deputy refers to is under the remit of the Coastal Local Authority, in this instance Kerry County Council.
751. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if new forestry grant rates are in line with inflation since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39871/23]
View answer752. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grants for afforestation cover 100% of costs associated with establishing a plantation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39872/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 752 together.
The new forestry programme 2023-27 will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income, and help to meet national climate and biodiversity objectives.
The published proposed grant rates for each of the forest types reflect the overall direct costs of establishing a range of different types of forests. These rates have been agreed with DPENDR and have been approved under State Aid regulations by the European Commission.
|
Forest Type |
New Grant Rate |
Fencing Rate |
Grant + Fencing |
|
|
FT1 |
Native Forests |
€6,744 |
€2520 |
€9264 |
|
FT2 |
Forests for Water* |
€6,744 |
€2520 |
€10264 |
|
FT3 |
Forests on Public Lands** |
€11,044 |
€2520 |
€13564 |
|
FT4 |
NeighbourWoods*** |
€10,200 |
€2520 |
€12720 |
|
FT5 |
Emergent Forests |
€2,500 |
€2520 |
€5020 |
|
FT6 |
Broadleaf, mainly oak |
€6,744 |
€2520 |
€9264 |
|
FT7 |
Other Broadleaf |
€4,314 |
€2520 |
€6834 |
|
FT8 |
Agroforestry |
€8,555 |
€2520 |
€11075 |
|
FT9 |
Seed Orchards |
€10,000 |
€2520 |
€12520 |
|
FT10 |
Continuous Cover Forestry |
€5,421 |
€2520 |
€7941 |
|
FT11 |
Mixed High Forests: Conifer, 20% broadleaves |
€4,452 |
€2520 |
€6972 |
|
FT12 |
Mixed High Forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves |
€3,858 |
€770 |
€4628 |
Native Tree Area Scheme will be paid at FT1 and FT2 rates.
* Additional payment of €1,000 per ha will be paid to landowner on completion of planting
** Grant includes Trails, Seats & Signage Facilities and Derelict Site payment
*** Grant includes Facilities payment
In setting rates my Department's decisions were underpinned by the COFORD report “Economic Activity and Employment levels in the Irish forest Sector”. The setting of the grant rates considered the various operations and labour costs and overheads involved in the establishment of forests.
The grant and premium package was formulated to optimise the incentivisation of tree planting, and to deliver on climate action targets, in particular by encouraging uptake amongst farmers.
753. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how his Department calculates the number of licences required by the forestry industry annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39873/23]
View answerThe annual number of forestry licences required by the industry is determined by a number of economic and environmental factors. My Department's targets for afforestation are informed by the Climate Action Plan, the targets for roads by historic and projected activity, and the targets for felling licences by the timber harvest forecasts from the COFORD Roundwood Production Forecast 2016-2035.
The afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year is set out in the most recent Climate Action Plan. Forestry roads licensing is demand-led, and my Department's targets are informed by historic requirements in the private sector of 125 km per annum, and Coillte average annual road requirements. The issuing of felling licences is also demand-led, and the level of demand is indicated by the number of licence applications made.
My Department has continued to issue felling licences at a high rate. The volume of wood licensed to be felled at the end of 2022 was over 9 million cubic metres, which significantly exceeds the COFORD forecast of 4.5 million cubic metres.
As the new Forestry Programme 2023 -2027 has now been launched, my Department is in a position to issue all licences. It will, in the near future, publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan. This will cover the remainder of 2023, while also indicating plans for 2024. Targets will be identified by, among other things, taking the relevant economic and environmental factors as outlined into consideration.
755. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the table detailing the fencing rates for the afforestation programme 2023 to 2027 contains any error, as the maximum per hectare of €880 at forest level does not allow for the erection of 160 meters of stock-sheep and stock-rabbit at the rates per linear meter determined in the table for IS436 and non-IS436; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39875/23]
View answerThe Forestry Programme 2023-2027 provides significant grant increases across all forest types, including increases in the eligible rates per metre for each type of fence erected, as well as an increased maximum financial cap per forest.
The rates detailed in the fencing grant table follow the same format as the rates described in the previous Forestry Programme, and there are no errors. You will note that the financial caps have increased to €50,000 per hectare, and the density of fencing is now increased to 160 metres per hectare when IS436 stock-proof fencing is erected.
The maximum cap for IS436 fencing has also been increased to €880 per hectare and was calculated using a density of 160 metres per hectare at a rate of €5.50 per metre. Although other fence types can be more expensive to erect than stock fences, the financial cap of €880 per hectare still applies when IS436 fences are erected.
It should be noted that the fencing requirements differ on each farm holding and in some cases, there will be no need to erect fences to the densities specified.
756. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if holders of valid forest road approvals can start their forest road projects and that current provision to opt into the forestry programme 2023-2027 exists, as the de minimis options are no longer available; if this also applies to the ash dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39876/23]
View answerMy Department will be writing to holders of valid grant aided road licences and valid RUS approvals, who have not opted into the De Minimis Schemes, in the coming weeks offering them the opportunity to opt into the new Roads and Reconstitution Ash-dieback schemes under the new Forestry Programme.
Those who received approval under the Department's De Minimis Schemes may commence work in line with their approved timelines.
757. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many native woodland scheme training courses are scheduled before the end of 2023, given it is now mandatory to have this scheme done to lodge applications for FT1, FT2, FT3 and FT5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39887/23]
View answer765. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out in-person training to prepare foresters for the new programme specifically regarding organo-mineral soil with a peat depth or equal to 30cm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40001/23]
View answer766. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out in-person training to prepare foresters for the new programme specifically on how to identify modified fen of modified cutaway raised bog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40002/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 765 and 766 together.
Significant training requirements exist to support the delivery of the new Forestry Programme, and this work is underway. Last month my Department held two initial online information sessions for Registered Foresters on the new afforestation scheme in advance of its launch on the 6th of September.
Further training is required in a number of areas, particularly land types identification. In-person and field training will be provided to Registered Foresters and other relevant professionals in early October, and will be delivered regionally. Beginning on the week of Monday 25 September, it is also intended to conduct a series of short webinars to cover specific issues, in particular the use of new INET features, Native Woodland Establishment, the Deer and Tree Shelter Scheme, Forest Design, Forest Roads, and further Land Types Identification training and orientation. We will shortly write to registered foresters and other relevant professionals with details and times of these training events.
Guidance documents such as Land Types for Afforestation and Environmental Requirements for Afforestation are also available on my Department's website, at the following link gov.ie - Regulation, Forest Health and Resources (www.gov.ie). An FAQ document on the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 is available here gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Schemes (www.gov.ie).
759. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing schemes are currently available to applicants about to commence afforestation projects who without such supports are at a serious financial disadvantage; if he will agree to providing the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme grant retrospectively for applicants who erect tree shelters during the afforestation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39981/23]
View answerI am pleased to say that the Afforestation Scheme under the new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme opened for applications on the 6th of September 2023, and in tandem we are opening the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme this week.
Applicants who wish to use deer shelters will need to receive written approval under the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme prior to commencement of the work, as grants cannot be paid retrospectively.
