Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Forestry Targets.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2004

Thursday, 21 October 2004

Ceisteanna (163, 164)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

163 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if the annual increased afforestation proposed in the various programmes for Government has been achieved in each of the past seven years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25937/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The programme for Government contains a commitment to work towards increasing forest planting to 20,000 hectares per annum. The current targets were set out in the 1996 strategy, Growing for the Future, and were confirmed in the new partnership agreement Sustaining Progress. Grant aid at a level of 100% for planting and generous annual premiums are available. Annual planting since 1996 has averaged 14,000 hectares. Following CAP reform and, in particular, the stacking of entitlements in respect of forestry land, I expect to see an increased level of applications under the various forestry schemes operated by my Department in the coming years.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

164 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of trees (details supplied) planted in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25981/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The total area — hectares — of afforestation grant aided by my Department in each of the last five years is as follows:

Year

Hectares

1999

12,668

2000

15,695

2001

15,464

2002

15,054

2003

9,097

The average correlation between the number of hectares and trees planted is in the order of 3,000 trees per hectare.

While an exact breakdown on the lines requested by the Deputy is not available, the level of Sitka Spruce grant-aided has been averaging less than 60% annually over the last five years. The percentage of Western Red Cedar planted is very low by comparison, of the order of 1% annually.

There are no statistics available in my Department in respect of non-grant aided tree planting. While the level of such planting for commercial purposes is likely to be limited both the national parks and wildlife service and local authorities undertake significant tree planting for environmental purposes.

Barr
Roinn