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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Afforestation Programme.

David Stanton

Ceist:

125 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the changes that have been made during the past two years concerning support for the forestry sector to include reinstatement support in the event of loss due to fire or other reasons and maintenance supports; the increase in the acreage for each year in 2000, 2001 and 2002; the projected increase in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22179/03]

Under the terms of the new partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, the Government has confirmed its commitment to the development of the forestry sector in a manner that maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis. The partnership agreement contains a commitment to promote and support increased planting levels up to 2,000 hectares annually.

The agreement acknowledges, however, that this commitment is subject to the availability of budgetary resources. The Deputies will be aware that the Government is facing very difficult choices in the areas of public finances and may not be in a position to make as much money available for all programmes as it would wish.

I acknowledge the serious concerns among forestry stakeholders in relation to the funding situa tion for forestry in 2003. In this regard there have been extensive consultations with the sector following which the primary focus of funding during 2003 has been the planting programme. As a result, while final figures are not available, planting levels in 2003 are expected to reach 12,000 hectares, of which 2,000 hectares will be paid for in 2004. Planting levels in 2000, 2001 and 2002 were 15,695 hectares, 15,464 hectares and 15,054 hectares, respectively.
I wish to reassure the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to the development of the forestry sector. This commitment is underlined by the provisions of the new partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, and clearly demonstrates that the Government recognises the important role which forestry plays and will continue to play in the development of rural and local economies. I also have directed that a fundamental review of the strategic policy for forestry, Growing for the Future, which was published in 1996, be undertaken. This review will reflect the significant changes in the sector and society as a whole since 1996 and will involve wide stakeholder consultation. It will also need to address the potentially huge future cost of forestry, especially premia, which existing policy involves as well as the interaction with other agricultural land use support policies.
In the latter context, the House should be aware of the high historic and future cost of forestry, if existing policies are to be maintained. For example, €613 million – an average of about €88 million per year – has been spent on forestry since 1997 and, if existing policies were to continue, annual average costs, assuming respectively 10,000 and 20,000 hectares per annum, would be €100 million per year and €130 million per year over the next three years. By 2020 the annual costs of meeting the Sustaining Progress targets of 20,000 hectares per annum could be over €210 million per year.
Besides the financial implications outlined above, the review of the national climate change strategy and the mid-term reviews of the CAP rural development plan and various operational programmes of the national development plan which are currently under way will also inform the review of the forestry strategy.
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