Paul Kehoe
Ceist:328. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual target for afforestation under the native tree area scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54090/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 27 October 2022
Ceisteanna (328)
Freagraí scríofa
The target of 8,000 hectares of new afforestation per year as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 includes all of my Department's tree planting measures that are 0.1 hectares or more in size. This includes the small-scale tree planting referred to in the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 and it is currently intended that this will form part of our delivery on the 8,000 target.
As the Deputy may be aware, an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.
It is proposed that the exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland will be available through the Native Tree Area Scheme which my Department has designed. A draft Scheme document is included in the draft Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which was published on Tuesday the 18th of October and which is now subject to a 6-week public consultation process. Further development of the Scheme will be undertaken following the completion of this public consultation, including the consultation on the associated SEA Environmental Report and AA Natura Impact Report and any feedback received.