Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 May 2013
199. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the requirement to make sufficient lands available for the hen harriers, farmers activities are restricted for forestry and wind turbines, if Coillte could by cooperation with local farmers and agreeing crop rotations make more farmers land available for commercial activities.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of Special Protection Areas (SPA) designated for the protection of the hen harrier where restrictions apply to planting and other developments. Any future afforestation within the SPA must take into account the results of recent Hen Harrier breeding and distribution surveys, the availability of suitable habitat, existing forest cover, age profile of existing forests, and the effects of other cumulative developments on hen harrier populations e.g. wind farms.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is in the process of developing a Threat Response Plan (TRP) for the conservation of Hen harriers. Forestry will form a significant element of the plan, particularly in relation to overall forest restructuring. My Department is working with NPWS in the development of the TRP which will determine the circumstances in which afforestation, if any, might be accommodated in Hen harrier SPAs without impacting on the conservation of the species.
Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forestry estate, are the responsibility of the company.
