John Ellis
Ceist:9 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to increase the participation of full-time farmers in forestry; and if so, if he will give details of such plans. [18512/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Participation in Forestry.
Farmers already account for the largest population of afforestation undertaken — 62 per cent of the total in 1995 and 85 per cent of private sector afforestation. Their participation in forestry is already supported by generous afforestation grants and premiums, the latter particularly favouring farmers through higher rates and a longer period of payment. Farmers have seen the value in forestry as an alternative agricultural activity and an income and asset option and in many cases have reflected this by including forestry as one of their farm activities.
The distinction in the forest premium is between farmers and others and does not distinguish between full and part-time farmers once the criteria defining "farmer" are met.
It is the target in the Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland, approved by the Government and published in July, that 70 per cent of all afforestation will be undertaken by the private sector and that there will be a particular emphasis on farmer participation. In this regard, the provisions of the strategic plan include a commitment to maintain the relativity of forestry supports to other farm supports; improvements in the farm forestry advisory services, including a greater role for Teagasc— we have appointed some extra staff in that regard; improved and re-directed training courses to improve farmers' forestry skills and to improve forest management over the full rotation; the development of suitable co-operative farm forestry strcutures and amendments to REPS to ensure complementary application of both it and forestry schemes.
This strategic plan is in place and it shows a clear positive discrimination in relation to farmers in forestry.
While the Minister might think it shows positive discrimination, many people would not agree. Many small portions of land may be more suited to forestry than to any other purpose. Will the Minister allow premiums to be paid on small portions of land because area aid has become a major problem as far as maintaining land for agricultural production is concerned? In many cases small portions of land could be used more productively if forests were planted, but because extensification premiums will be lost, farmers are not prepared to do that. Will the Minister examine this area?
I will consider that but I should point out that this is defined by EU rules. The stocking density is a key element of the controls for livestock production. However, this would cause problems because the forestry premium structure is part of the accompanying measures. There are two separate channels and I envisage a difficulty in overlapping but I will consider the matter.
The Minister's commitment to consider the matter will be welcomed by many farmers who see this as a possible way of creating, in the Minister's words, a small pension fund for their future. Is the Minister prepared to examine the possibility of increasing the rate of assistance to full-time farmers? I am not talking about those who qualify in terms of taking 25 per cent of their income from farming.
I do not want to give the impression, because it can have the effect of negativing planting, that there will be radical changes in forestry grants and afforestation premia. The existing structure is very generous. There was a problem with REPS and that has been resolved. People would refrain from planting if they thought that more generous grants would be forthcoming. I am very anxious to do everything possible to assist in planting. Much has been in done in regard to Teagasc and implementing a forestry forum report. Farm forestry is part of my plan in terms of the one million acres of land that would be more viable under plantation than agriculture.
Will the Minister say why he allowed Coillte, a timber sales agency, to remain the main planting agency of public lands rather than allow the private sector to deal totally with planting?
The proportionate share of planting by Coillte is dropping rapidly. For example, in 1986 farmer planting was only 20 per cent of total planting whereas it is now almost 75 per cent. Coillte must maintain the forest estate and increase its business but proportionately the increase in planting is in farmer forestry.
Farmers cannot compete.