Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the ongoing forestry development programme continues, with due regard for the necessity to use marginal lands as opposed to lands suitable for food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47221/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise that following on from recent State Aid approval from the European Commission, the Government adopted the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 on 6 September and the new Afforestation Scheme launched on the same day. This is a significant milestone for forestry that will allow for the expansion, protection and development of Ireland’s forests and forestry sector. An afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year has been set out in the Climate Action Plan and in order to achieve this it will be necessary to engage with all farmers, highlighting the complementary nature of forestry to farming.
The Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular to re-engage with forestry. This can be seen in our increased premia rates for Afforestation. These increases range from between 46% to 66% , along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers across most Forest Types.
Agroforestry has also been revised significantly to facilitate uptake. 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 Forestry Programme 2023-2027 with pilot schemes for both silvoarable and forest gardening systems.
My Department has also launched the new Native Tree Area Scheme recently, which builds on an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removed 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.
It has been necessary to introduce some new application requirements to deal with environmental sensitivities and to restrict afforestation in a some areas due to concerns raised by the European Commission during our State Aid approval process. I remain committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade in an environmentally sustainable manner.
I am confident that the diverse range of forest types on offer, coupled with attractive grants and premiums in the new Forestry Programme, will support an increase in forestry afforestation and support scheme applications. A comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits not just for climate change, but for biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
