Joe Sherlock
Ceist:46 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Energy the steps he is taking to encourage the greater planting of broad leaf trees in both public and private sector forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Tree Planting.
Under the operational programme for forestry 1989-1993, which I launched in July 1990, particular new emphasis has been placed on the promotion of broad-leaved species.
My aim is to increase substantially the proportion of broadleaves planted from its current level of about 2 per cent.
Under the new grant schemes the maximum rate of grant for brodleaf afforestation is £1,200 per hectare which is available to both the private and public sectors and represents a 50 per cent increase on previous schemes. A further incentive for private sector planting by farmers is the availability of a premium payment of £116 per hectare each year for 20 years for lands planted with broadleaves. In addition pilot demonstration projects on the use of native broadleaf species will be considered for funding under the scheme of back-up measures.
The level of involvement todate by the private and public sector in this broadleaf area has been disappointing, but I would hope that from now on there will be a significant response to these initiatives.