Martin Browne
Ceist:798. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is planned to publish the forestry licensing plan for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4746/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 31 January 2023
Ceisteanna (798)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department published the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 in February last year. The plan informed stakeholders of our targets for the delivery of afforestation, felling and forest road licences, and of our commitment to reducing the backlog.
By the end of 2022, we issued 4,713 licences which was 90% of our expected output for the year. The backlog in licences overall was reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January 2022 to 1,983 at the end of 2022. We are issuing more licences than applications received, and this means that the backlog continues to drop over time, with faster turnaround times for new applicants.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 requires EU State Aid approval to implement and my Department is engaging intensively with the Commission so that approval is granted as soon as possible. Once approval has been given the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will commence in earnest.
I see great merit in signalling to forest owners, landowners, and the forest sector our intentions as regards licensing which is why I intend to publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan once the new Forestry Programme has been approved at national and EU levels.