Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2021
291. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the afforestation scheme is classed as an environmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51397/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) provides significant supports for afforestation scheme which contains measures aimed at protecting the environment and biodiversity.
All forestry licences issued must comply with the requirements of EU and national environmental law, environmental policy that falls within the scope of EU law, and the four environmental principles that inform those frameworks.
Although not an exclusive list this includes the Birds Directive, the Habitats Directive, the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive, the Water Framework Directive, and the Dangerous Substances Directive, as well as the prevention principle.
This aims to prevent environmental damage rather than to react to it; and the rectification at source principle, which seeks to prevent pollution at its source rather than remedy its effects.
The Department's Land Types for Afforestation procedure (2017) and Environmental Requirements for Afforestation (2016) are significant in this regard, as together they exclude a wide range of sensitive sites and habitats (including non-designated Annex I habitats) from afforestation, and stipulate measures to include existing habitats and undisturbed setback on sites which are deemed eligible.
