Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 May 2018
46. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps and work being undertaken to encourage and incentivise agroforestry with a particular focus on native species in view of Ireland's historically low afforestation figures and rates. [23989/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have said on many occasions in this House, the levels of forest cover in this country are pitifully low, and one of the lowest in Europe. There is little sign that we are doing anything to improve it. My question refers in particular to agroforestry and the potential it has to change that situation significantly, if not dramatically, with a particular focus on native and broadleaf species.
Agroforestry was introduced for the first time by my Department in 2015 as part of the Forestry Programme 2014-2020. Agroforestry is positive for animal welfare, improves biodiversity and can prevent nutrient run-off when planted in strategic locations. Some farmers who may not be inclined to plant trees may see agroforestry as a first step in terms of a possible commitment to more traditional forestry. By engaging in agroforestry farmers may begin to see timber production as part of the farming mix in terms of climate mitigation and adding to the overall productivity of their farm.
Applications for agroforestry are considered by my Department for silvopastoral systems such as pasture, grazing, silage or hay. Other systems may be considered on a site-to-site basis, however, as long as the tree stocking rate is between 400 and 1,000 trees per hectare, that is, at least 0.5 ha in area and at least 20 m wide. Acceptable tree species include oak, sycamore and cherry. Other broadleaves and conifers will be considered on a site-to-site basis, including other native species. The planting of fruit and nut trees is also provided for under agroforestry and these species can account for up to 15% of the trees planted.
A modest target of 55 ha of agroforestry was set in the forestry programme. The response has been far below this level, however, at just 6 ha planted during the first three years of the programme. The recently completed midterm review concluded that there is very little tradition in Ireland in agroforestry and this is most likely contributing to the slow uptake. The premium levels on offer were also considered to be insufficient to encourage farmers to get involved in this land use. The cost of tree shelters was contributing also to the high cost of establishment, and this also made agroforestry less attractive to farmers.
Following the midterm review, significant increases have been introduced for agroforestry, with the annual premium payment increasing from €260 per hectare to up to €660 per hectare. The establishment grant was also increased from €4,450 per hectare to €6,660 per hectare.
The Minister of State will have two further opportunities to respond.
There is a lot at stake in the area of afforestation and forestry. Ireland faces huge fines because of carbon emissions, and forestry, as a carbon sink, can play a significant role in mitigating that. However, we are failing pitifully. The midterm forestry review makes for very sad reading. We have a target of 7,500 ha annually. COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, recommended that to reach the afforestation levels necessary, we need to plant double that -10,000 to 15,000 ha. However, we only plant 5,000 ha. We failed to meet what was an inadequate target and this year we are heading towards planting 4,000 ha.
As the Minister of State noted, the take-up in agroforestry is pathetic. It is 9 ha. We missed our targets on native woodlands by two thirds. Our native woodlands conservation scheme achieved zero results because the options in agroforestry and the supports and incentives for farmers to move into agroforestry are not adequate.
I thank the Deputy. He will have another minute later.
It is interesting that the Deputy referred to the target and said that the incentives are not adequate. We have ambitious targets. We have put aside €108 million from Exchequer funding for afforestation. We have all sorts of lobby groups and so on pulling against us. We need to be on message here. This morning I attended the launch of a conference on Irish forestry in the bioeconomy in Enfield. Yesterday, I visited Kilkenny for the inaugural RDS Teagasc farm forestry award. We are doing everything we can to promote it. There are so many interest groups which do not want to see afforestation and who misconstrue all of its benefits. If people pull together on this, we can achieve it. The midterm review is indicating that we will reach 30% of the overall plantation figures that will be broadleaf, so it is beginning to work.
I thank the Minister of State.
The midterm review was salient but it does improve the incentives in many areas.
I thank the Minister of State. He will have a final minute later.
I do not doubt that the Minister of State is making a serious effort in this area but the facts tell us that we are failing. We must dramatically change things. Coillte did not help matters by messing farmers around with the farm partnership scheme and not paying them. I do not know if that has been resolved, but it has left a bitter taste in the mouths of farmers when it comes to initiatives that might increase forest cover.
The point about agroforestry is that although we need to explain it to people and encourage people, we need to examine models such as that in Norway. In south-west Norway, the forest cover was increased from 0% to 50% in 50 years, and now 70% of the income for the farmers in the area is from forestry. This is because there were supports and grants to encourage the natural regeneration of forests, not forestry according to the industrial or commercial model. It worked brilliantly. It was very good for the environment and is now generating considerable income for farmers. That is the sort of model we need to follow.
We will get the Deputy to speak at a few events promoting forestry in certain parts of the country. It will be very helpful.
On the last point the Deputy made, about continuous cover forestry, which is what he is talking about, a lot of work is being done in respect of both conifers and broadleafs. The new midterm review rates for broadleafs under the continuous cover forestry and native woodland schemes are very significant.
The reality, however, is that the only way to increase cover to 17% or 18%, which are the figures the Deputy is proposing, is to drive afforestation through the commercial wood industry. It needs that and it lifts all boats. It is a huge employer. I was in a remote part of Galway last week where there are 150 people employed directly in the industry and another 200 employed in the industry around it. I ask the Deputy to show me any industry or sector that can offer that kind of employment in such areas.
