Vol. 489 No. 3
17 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of hectares of land planted in the State in 1997 and grant aided by his Department; and if this is in line with the planting target as outlined in the Government approved plan for forestry development. [8095/98]
The area afforested in 1997 and grant aided by my Department was 13,900 hectares. This includes some 2,500 hectares which was grant aided early in 1998. This disappointing outturn was due to a number of factors which included competition from other EU funded schemes and farmers postponing their planting decisions in anticipation of the higher grant and premium rates I introduced with the sanction of the EU Commission in October 1997.
The outturn for 1997 is significantly down on the planting target of 25,000 hectares outlined in the strategic plan for forestry. However, I expect the level of afforestation to recover significantly in 1998 and thereafter as the increased grants and premium rates take effect.
The current afforestation estimate for 1998 is 18,000 hectares, rising to 20,000 hectares in 1999 and 25,000 hectares in the year 2000.
Pre-planting approvals for 18,000 hectares have been issued for the current year and applications for a further 6,000 hectares are being processed.
I am disappointed that interest in the forestry industry has waned. Something must be radically wrong with the industry. Only 11,400 hectares were planted last year or less than 50 per cent of the target it was hoped to achieve. The Department's policy seems to be "live horse and you will get grass" in that it estimates that 18,000 hectares will be planted in 1998, 20,000 hectares in 1999 and 25,000 hectares in the year 2000. Unless planting is accelerated widely, we will not reach that target. The Minister should examine why it was not attractive. In 1997 we did not even achieve 50 per cent of the target. The Department must have some idea of the reason. Otherwise forestry is drifting like a ship without a rudder.
I assure the Deputy that this ship is not without a rudder and has a very good captain. We intend to win the battle. I remind the Deputy that during the planting season of l997, his party was in power. I am not saying that was the reason for the low planting rates, or that it was in anticipation of increased grants or of Fianna Fáil returning to office, but planting was down to 11,400 hectares. This year pre-planting approvals for 18,000 hectares have issued, and approvals for a further 6,000 hectares are being processed. That is a clear indication we are winning the battle, and it is mainly because of the new grants, but there is also a strong intent in the Department.
I have visited four locations and have met numerous farmers who have shown an interest in forestry. Those meetings were attended by representatives from the forestry service, Teagasc and a very enthusiastic IFA. If this had been done heretofore, planting levels would not have fallen. We will plant in excess of 18,000 hectares in l998, in excess of 20,000 hectares in l999 and we will achieve our target of 25,000 hectares by the year 2000.
The Minister laid heavy emphasis on incentives. He said he hoped to achieve a target of 25,000 hectares under forestry by the year 2000. How can the Minister be sure that the same commitment will exist with regard to premiums and incentives beyond l999, given that our operation programme finishes in l999? Our target under the strategic programme is 17 per cent by the year 2009. How will we achieve that, given that from now on there will be certain disincentives to forestry planting?
I am optimistic when I visit various locations. I was in Boyle in County Roscommon last night.
Will the Minister answer the question?
I will answer the question if I get the opportunity. I am optimistic because people who were not so keen heretofore are now interested in afforestation. The level of interest in forestry has increased significantly. Within the EU there is a strong commitment to forestry. The programme currently in place will continue, perhaps to a lesser degree, but I am confident that when the Deputy is still asking questions in the year 2000 he will be told that we have achieved the target of 25,000 hectares under forestry.
We will wait and see.
I am delighted that the planting of forestry has decreased because I represent a constituency that will be under trees shortly. Does the Minister have any proposals to reduce the number of hectares necessary for planning permission? When we were in Government we reduced it. It has to be reduced significantly because, in parts of the country people's land has been taken over and houses have been surrounded by forestry.
That is a separate question.
It is a sticky one.
It will come up later, and I will be delighted to answer it.
Deputy Reynolds has touched on an important point, and I speak as somebody with a different view from his, in that I favour forestry. It is a question of the culture of forestry. Is the Government fully committed to forestry development? Does it accept there are criticisms? How does it propose to overcome those other than by merely dangling pound notes in front of people? Does the Minister of State accept that there has been a change, in that those who were involved in forestry some years ago thought they were doing something patriotic but there are many people now saying they are despoiling the landscape? Has the Minister given serious thought to that aspect of forestry from the point of view of the future? If not, will he undertake to do so and inform us what type of promotional campaign he has in mind to encourage the financial institutions back into forestry development, if that is in fact Government policy?
I do not want to take advantage of the conflict on the other side of the House. However, the view expressed by Opposition Deputies was expressed to me last night where some people were strongly for and some were strongly against afforestation. There are strong regulations in place. It is not a question of dangling pound notes in front of anyone as an encouragement to increase afforestation. Farmers are shrewd business people. If they see afforestation as a viable alternative, they will go for it. I am putting afforestation forward as a real option and will continue to do so to achieve what the Government set out to achieve.
I do not believe the afforestation policy is being greeted with such applause by farmers throughout the country. Farmers are very dubious about it.
The Deputy should ask a question.
Is the Minister satisfied that the policy is the correct one? Should we not be encouraging the planting of more broadleaf varieties, given our climate, etc.?
We are now promoting diversification. Only 60 per cent of sitka spruce is allowed in any afforestation at the moment and there is an insistence that 20 per cent of afforestation should be broadleaf trees.
Twenty per cent is not enough.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
