Joe Carey
Ceist:154. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider fundamental reform to the ash die back scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26412/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 26 May 2022
Ceisteanna (154)
Freagraí scríofa
Ash dieback disease was first found in Ireland in late 2012 and is now found throughout the country. The year-on-year spread and impact of the disease on ash, one of our most important native broadleaves is expected to increase whether ash is found in a forest, hedgerow or roadside. The landscape, cultural, ecological and economic impact will be significant.
The exact origin of ash dieback disease in Ireland or when it was introduced are unknown. It is likely that the disease was introduced into Ireland on infected plants for use in either forest, farm or roadside planting.
The experience of ash dieback disease provides clear evidence of the increasing threat to our plant health status through a combination of trade and climate change.
The Department has taken a number of significant steps in response to this experience, including the publication of its Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy, the establishment of a new area of expertise in the Department in Pest Risk Analysis and in financial support to growers impacted to allow them to remove infected ash and replace it with other suitable species. I understand that a small percentage of the ash population thought to be 1%-2% may be disease tolerant.
The Department has, and continues to, support a number of research initiatives in order to identify tolerant ash trees for use in ash breeding programmes for the future.
Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, the Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by ash dieback disease through the ash dieback reconstitution scheme (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020. We have committed under the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 to refocus on the delivery of most approvals under the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme.
Applications for that scheme are received regularly and decisions are issued as the assessment of the applications are complete. The Deputy will be aware that the Department is currently developing a New Forestry Programme for 2023-2027 which is examining all aspects of the afforestation programme and support schemes.
The Department is also currently examining the uptake of the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme(Ash Dieback) in 2022 and the challenges faced by the owners of ash plantations in availing of the scheme in the context of the current year planned expenditure.