Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
126 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will report on the incidence of sudden oak death in the UK; if he expects trees here to fall victim to this virulent disease; and the measures he is taking to protect the timber industry here which employs over 6200 people. [5065/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fungus that causes the disease known as sudden oak death was first discovered in the UK in May 2002. The latest information on incidence in the UK is that nine trees at three sites in Cornwall have now been found to be infected. The trees affected are four holm-oaks, a turkey oak, two beech trees, one sweet chestnut and a horse chestnut. Another tree in Sussex, of a different American species of oak, has also been found to be infected. Some 300 other outbreaks have been detected in the UK, which have mostly been confined to rhododendrons in nurseries and garden centres.
In Ireland the fungus has been found on rhododendron and viburnum shrub species at 31 garden centres-nurseries and on rhododendron at three locations in the wild. To date there have been no positive findings on oak or any other tree species.
There is a number of control mechanisms in place to prevent the introduction and spread of sudden oak death in Ireland. Legislation provides for controls on the movement of rhododendron and viburnum within the EU, including from the UK, through the plant passport system; for import controls into the EU on susceptible plants and wood from areas of the USA where the disease is known to occur; and a provision for official surveys for the fungus to be carried out in all member states. I am increasing our levels of vigilance and surveillance and mechanisms are in place to isolate, manage and where possible eradicate any instances found in Ireland.
127 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to increase the amount of forestry that will be grown; if recent policy has hindered the growth of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4853/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regard forestry as a major and increasingly valuable land use option in Ireland. With this in mind, I will be doing whatever is necessary to ensure a vibrant forest sector as part of Government and agriculture policy for future years. The financial allocation for forestry in the 2004 Estimates has been increased by some 30%.
Since I announced the opening of applications in December there has been a heartening renewal of interest in planting for 2004. Applications for planting approval of over 17,000 hectares are at various stages of processing. I am confident that planting of at least 10,000 hectares can be achieved in 2004. Last week I announced the re-opening of the elements of the support programmes involving some €6 million, including the allocations for forest roads, forest reconstitution, the native woodland and the neighbourwood schemes.
I encourage all farmers and landowners seriously contemplating planting to recognise the financial and non-financial benefits that forestry offers and I state clearly that this Government's commitment to forestry is unequivocal and will be sustained. The necessary supports are in place to ensure vibrancy and growth in the sector.
