Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 April 2021
216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions that have been made for forestry planting under the new organic scheme and the new REPS scheme including the potential impact on backlogs in the forestry appeals and licensing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20864/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am proposing that tree planting actions will be provided for under the Agri-Environment Pilot Project (REAP) and such actions are also expected to feature under the CAP Strategic Plan including as part of the next CAP Agri-Environment schemes. This is in recognition of the many climate and biodiversity benefits when tree planting is done correctly. I would encourage all farmers to engage with these schemes and all relevant stakeholders to continue to input to the scheme design through the CAP consultation process.
However, such planting will be outside of the scope of forestry planting as they will not be defined areas of forestry. Therefore, neither will have any impact on forestry appeals or the licensing process.
