Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
231 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if there are regulations governing the spreading of fertilisers on forest plantations, from the air; if it is permitted to spread fertiliser on a forest from an aeroplane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21372/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Forest Service operates a dedicated pre-approval authorisation procedure for the aerial application of fertiliser to forest sites. As part of the approval procedure, the Forest Service consults with relevant statutory agencies and recommendations from these bodies are made a condition of any approval issued.
The authorisation procedure is supported by on the spot policing and inspections by the Forest Service inspectorate and strict adherence to the forestry and aerial fertilisation guidelines is mandatory. These guidelines clearly detail the comprehensive operational obligations on landowners, machine operators, pilots and managers.
The Forest Service developed the forestry and aerial fertilisation guidelines through extensive consultation with a wide range of relevant parties including statutory agencies, stakeholders and academia. The guidelines, cover all aspects of aerial fertilisation including site suitability, fertiliser rates and types, weather conditions, soil suitability, the application process, consultation, flight paths, slope, storage areas for fertiliser, helicopter equipment, supervision and timing of operation. Most importantly, the guidelines clearly identify unsuitable sites such as those with inadequate drainage systems and those prone to water logging. It should also be added that 100 metre exclusion zones apply to points of abstraction of all drinking water and reservoirs and that 50 metre exclusion zones apply to all aquatic zones, namely all permanent or seasonal rivers, streams or lakes shown on Ordnance Survey 6 inch maps. Operational measures applying to helicopter operators include the recording of flight paths using a suitable global positioning system, or GPS, and a requirement that the hopper or bucket must be closed when flying over aquatic zones.
Any incidents of pollution as a direct result of aerial fertilisation may be dealt with by local authorities, regional fishery boards and the Environmental Protection Agency under relevant legislation.
Helicopters are currently the only method approved for the aerial application of fertiliser in Irish forests.
