Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 June 2013
7. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the legislation to implement the EU timber regulation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29378/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new EU timber regulation is now in effect. It does not require any further national legislation to become law in this country. It is part of a package of measures aimed at ensuring all products containing wood placed on the market in the EU are from legally harvested timber. It applies to wood and wood products being placed for the first time on the EU market. It counters the trade in illegally harvested timber and timber products by imposing three key obligations on the sector: placing illegally harvested timber and products derived from such timber on the EU market, for the first time, is prohibited; those EU operators who place timber products on the EU market for the first time are required to exercise due diligence; and those traders who buy or sell timber and timber products already on the market are required to keep information about their suppliers and customers to make timber easily traceable.
Each member state is, however, obliged to introduce national legislation that will lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of the regulation. This process is at an advanced stage in my Department and I can assure the Deputy that I will lay out effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties, where appropriate, to ensure compliance.
I have charged my officials with carrying out a number of functions over the coming period to ensure compliance with these new rules. They will provide information and guidance to the industry through use of the web and seminars or talks. They will gather technical data to provide a knowledge database to take informed decisions and to advise on compliance. They will plan for enforcement though various actions such as site visits and information sampling. They will co-operate effectively with both the European Commission and other member states to combat cross-border infringements.
As the Deputy can appreciate, the process is at an early stage with only four countries now with the national penalties specified. My officials have been in close contact with key players across Europe already with a view to establishing best practice in a number of areas. Department officials have established strong links regarding information sharing with two key trading member states and are committed to adding to this number shortly. Ireland, like all member states, will be asked by the Commission to account for its implementation of the process by a formal reporting and review procedure laid down in the regulation.
I should point out that it is expected that for the majority of those affected, this regulation will simply involve the reaffirmation of their current business practice. It will primarily require them to ensure their paper trail is in a format which can be checked to verify compliance. The key change this regulation will bring about is to impose a greater responsibility on those placing timber on the market to ensure their products have been legally harvested.
I wish the Minister of State good luck in his new position. I hope the senior Minister, Deputy Coveney, makes the right decision on the proposed sale of the harvesting rights of Coillte. The Government is aware of the huge opposition to the plan to sell off the harvesting rights and I hope the Government has listened to the views of the public that have been clearly stated on that.
The Minister of State is aware the EU timber regulation came into force across Europe on 3 March to deal with the problem of illegal logging, with all the subsequent problems it causes in deforestation and climate change, not to mention tax revenue being lost to states, which has further implications in these difficult financial times. This regulation is important and Ireland must implement it as a matter of urgency. Oddly, given this is a country that can grow trees very quickly and that should have a higher level of afforestation, we import about €500 million worth of timber annually. There is significant potential, therefore, for this country to import illegally logged timber, with all the consequences that can have for us economically.
Why has there been such a delay in fully implementing this timber regulation? When asked in March about it, the Minister said legislation was being prepared but the Minister of State's reply seems to suggest there will not be legislation, so perhaps he might clarify that. When can we expect the introduction of a penalties regime to be brought in so operators who are not scrupulous in ensuring they use legally felled trees will be penalised for doing so? Can the Minister of State give an assurance that the competent authority that was supposed to be set up, but which has not been set up, will be adequately resourced to ensure the proper implementation of the timber regulations and the proper supervision of the industry?
The Deputy remarked that the Minister will make the decision but the Cabinet will make the decision shortly on the future of the harvesting rights of Coillte. Every consideration has been given in the past while to the decision the Cabinet is about to make.
Let us hope it is the right decision.
I am sure people will be happy. I came into the job in the past two weeks and I do not know what answers were given. I did not go through the file to see what answers were given to the Deputy's questions in the past week. New regulation is not needed. We must implement what is in place now. The officials have been tasked with that job and told to do it as a matter of urgency. They are to provide guidance to the industry though the use of the Internet, seminars and talks, and to gather technical data to provide a knowledge database to take informed decisions on compliance. The plan is for enforcement through actions such as site visits and information.
Last Friday, I toured three counties that had sites where a lot of forestry work was being done, and I saw there was huge potential for the industry. I was in Fermoy, where a private company employs 100 people in a very modern factory producing timber and boards at high speed for the market, replacing imported products and even exporting, which the company hopes to do because it sees a gap in the market. I toured the hills where the timber was growing and saw the efficiency with which the work was being done. The whole industry has a great future. We did not pay the necessary attention in recent years but I believe there is a growing commitment on the part of all those involved to ensure this project is safeguarded.
I welcome the commitment to the development of Irish forestry but we are a long way from where we should be. Afforestation levels are the lowest in Europe. We are importing €500 million worth of timber that we should not have to import. That makes us vulnerable to illegally logged timber, which is bad for our economy, for the developing world and for climate change. I hope the Minister of State will commit to stringent implementation of the EU regulations and ensure the necessary resources are provided to do so.
I am giving the commitment. The officials have been asked to do that and everyone involved in the industry is genuinely committed to making the industry more effective. I have no doubt we will achieve that.
