Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are changing the hedgerow option for practical reasons. First, we have already met the target for that item for the whole of GLAS in tranche one. Second, our industry has real problems even with our current commitments as opposed to opening an entire new tranche on it. In other words, to solve this problem we would need to import huge volumes of trees, which is a disease risk and a concern so we are taking a practical approach here. From an environmental point of view, we have already met and surpassed our targets on this. Our nurseries have reached capacity and are already stretched to deliver on tranche one.

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