Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
709. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targets for forestry; the person or body taking responsibility to ensure that they are met; the steps being taken to make sure that such targets are not just aspirational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2019 sets the target for afforestation at 8,000 ha per annum and the target of forest roadworks at 125km per annum.
While there are no specific targets for felling, the COFORD Roundwood Forecast predicts a potential harvest of 4.1 million cubic metres in 2021.
The Department has committed to issuing 4,500 forestry licences this year. We have not set individual targets for each type of licence but, based on the proportion of licences issued in 2020, approx. 65% of these will be tree felling licences, 20% will be for afforestation and the balance for forest roads. These figures, of course, must be treated as an estimate of how output will break down across the licensing categories.
Our progress to date measured against these targets is set out below:
- Roads: the Department has already issued forest road licences for 100km so far this year which is 80% of the target of 125km set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019. It is, therefore, expected that the road licences issued for the remainder of the year will exceed this target.
- Regarding afforestation, based on the above estimate, we would expect to issue licences for over 5,000 new hectares. This allied to the 4,300 hectares already licensed and ready for use will give the sector sufficient volume to help meet the 8,000 ha target. It is up to landowners to decide to plant, once they have received approval to do so, but arranging financial approval is a straightforward process completed by their registered forester, before proceeding to plant. It is a matter for all stakeholders to utilise the licences available and I would encourage all stakeholders to do so.
- Felling: We have issued just over 2million m3 year to date. I am confident that last year's output of 5million m3 can be exceeded and therefore the COFORD sectoral target for the year will also be exceeded.
In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for forestry, has established Project Woodland, to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including developing a plan to reduce the backlog and undertaking an end to end review of licensing processes.
I remain hopeful that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners and new applicants and delivers on identified targets.
