Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 October 2022
327. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will specify the annual rate of afforestation COFORD have identified as required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54088/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COFORD Council is a stakeholder platform that provides advice to the Department on the development of the forest sector. The current Council has recently published a number of reports covering areas from forest genetics, timber forecasts to climate change.
COFORD has recently published a series of statements on the importance of forests and wood products for climate change mitigation. These statements recognises the importance of afforestation and recommends that significant planting rates are required if we are to reach 18% forest cover by 2050 and that afforestation rates should double to 16,000 ha per year. My Department is currently finalising a new forestry programme which will provide attractive incentives for the planting of trees. While the target of 8000 ha per year is lower than the target suggested by COFORD, it is significantly higher than the existing levels of afforestation taking place. Land use change from grassland to forestry is a voluntary measure and my Department would encourage farmers to consider afforestation.
