Mr. Fergus Moore:

We are basically looking at various peat depths that do not cause a negative impact on carbon balance, and 30 cm has been suggested. From the research we would have seen, if trees are planted on 30 cm of peat and the trees are very productive, there is actually a neutral to net benefit in regard to carbon. Therefore, all land types that would have any element of peat would be conducive to having a net positive effect on forestry. We are looking at various peat depths, we are looking at the type of soils that we can plant and we do not want to rule out any large areas. The key thing in our discussions with the Commission is that we are not planting on blanket bogs, raised bogs or on those very important habitats.

There is a gradation between mineral soils and peat soils, where we get that “in-between” aspect. We are looking at what level of “in-between” we can plant without having a negative impact on carbon. That is part of the discussions we are having at the moment with the Commission, as an example.