Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
675. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has ensured the full integration and compatibility of afforestation and the afforestation scheme into the next Common Agriculture Policy which is a programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2901/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to a new national Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 which will be the main implementation vehicle of the new Forest Strategy.
A new Forest Strategy is currently being developed as part of the work done in Project Woodland, including an extensive public engagement strategy which has already commenced.
This new Forestry Programme will focus on the importance of climate smart forestry and new afforestation will be encouraged in pursuit of commercial, climate, water, and biodiversity objectives. The new Forestry Programme will again be funded nationally and will be subject to State Aid approval by the European Commission.
Trees sequester carbon and have significance importance in the fight against climate change. In accordance with the target’s set out in the Climate Action Plan, the Government will continue to promote afforestation to increase planting to a rate consistent with realising our 2030 climate ambition and to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality no later than 2050.
To achieve this, my Department fully recognises the need for afforestation to be complimentary to CAP.
As outlined in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) tree planting actions have been included in both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2. The new Eco-Scheme (Pillar 1) includes a tree planting option as part of the menu of options that farmers can choose from. The Pillar II Agri-Environment Climate Measure (AECM) includes significant tree planting actions for specific objectives, such as riparian buffers for water quality, in belts for ammonia capture near the farmyard or in rows, groups or as parkland. In addition, the AECM actions also include a farm sustainability review in which farmers can discuss a plan for their whole farm, including the identification of areas suitable for tree planting. In cases where farmers show an interest in planting trees on an area exceeding 0.1ha, the individual farmer will be encouraged to consider entering the afforestation scheme under the National Forestry Programme.
I would also like to point out that it is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting by removing the licensing requirement for areas not greater than one hectare, which may prove to be a barrier to such planting and be considered onerous and complex. Such an exemption would be available as part of a scheme which my Department intends to design and implement once the required legislative change is in place; the required amendment to the Forestry Act 2014, is currently moving through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.
