Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of hectares of trees by species planted in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25800/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2004
138 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of hectares of trees by species planted in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25800/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra139 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the value of timber harvested in the country in each of the past five years; the amount exported and used in the domestic market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25801/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra140 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of ozone friendly trees planted in this country in the past five years; the number which have been harvested in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25804/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra141 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the degree to which forests throughout the country have been harvested in the past five years; the number of hectares involved and the number of hectares replanted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25806/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 138 to 141, inclusive, together.
The total area — hectares — of afforestation grant aided by my Department in each of the last five years was as follows:
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
Conifers |
|||||
Sitka Spruce |
6,890 |
9,335 |
9,378 |
8,818 |
5,053 |
Pine |
682 |
654 |
610 |
449 |
235 |
Norway Spruce |
1,551 |
1,449 |
1,265 |
1,183 |
550 |
Other Conifers |
1,630 |
2,230 |
2,288 |
1,981 |
751 |
Broadleaves |
|||||
Oak |
454 |
328 |
366 |
563 |
504 |
Beech |
59 |
42 |
67 |
97 |
81 |
Others |
1,401 |
1,657 |
1,490 |
1,963 |
1,923 |
ALL |
12,667 |
15,695 |
15,464 |
15,054 |
9,097 |
In this regard, all trees are ozone friendly. In terms of harvesting, the total area — hectares — harvested by Coillte Teoranta in each of the last five years was as follows:
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|
Hectares |
22,193 |
23,431 |
19,882 |
20,288 |
17,979 |
Value €m |
€78.5m |
€84.5m |
€75.3m |
€82.3m |
€91.2m |
These figures account for approximately 95% of all timber harvested in the country. In accordance with the Forestry Act 1946, it is the policy of my Department to attach replanting conditions on felling licences for clearfell areas, save in exceptional circumstances.
As regards exports of timber over the last five years, the Central Statistics Office has provided details as follows:
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|||||
Tonnes |
€(000) |
Tonnes |
€(000) |
Tonnes |
€(000) |
Tonnes |
€(000) |
Tonnes |
€(000) |
373,207 |
51,607 |
316,260 |
59,617 |
543,206 |
63,131 |
519,222 |
81,812 |
521,489 |
82,507 |
Details of the value of timber used in the domestic market for the five most recent years available, also provided by the Central Statistics Office, are as follows:
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
€366.8m |
€394.7m |
€507.2m |
€471.7m |
€483.8m |