Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the expected tree plantings in 2005. [14134/05]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is not clear at this stage what the planting outturn will be for 2005. Planting outturn is entirely dependent on demand. Most new planting is now carried out by farmers, and demand from farmers will dictate how many hectares are planted this year. Best estimates at this time are for a planting level of between 11,000 and 14,000 hectares.

This year €124 million, the largest allocation in the history of the State, is being provided to enable farmers to seriously consider forestry as a land use option that will provide a generous income for up to 20 years, with 100% of the planting costs being met by public funds. This, together with the opportunity of planting up to 50% of a farm holding while still retaining the full single payments entitlements, must make forestry an attractive proposition. In addition to the planting and premium payments, my Department also funds a wide range of support schemes, including provision for the construction of forest roads and woodland improvement. An active research and development programme pursued by COFORD is also funded by my Department. Forestry provides a real land use alternative that is both economically and environmentally sustainable over the long term and one which offers a real future to farmers, their families and their communities.

Forestry has a key role to play in the environment. Forests are "carbon sinks" which trap and hold the carbon created by our modern economy. It provides us with clean air, recreational areas and new habitats for our wildlife. However, to maximise these benefits we must continue to plant. The combination of generous grants and premiums with the new stacking concessions means that there has never been a better time to plant.

The proposals contained in the draft rural development regulation, under negotiation in Brussels at present, will have implications for our ambitious afforestation programme, which under Sustaining Progress targets an annual planting level of 20,000 hectares. Certain improvements in the proposals from a forestry point of view have been made and while recognising that forestry is only one element of a wide-ranging rural development proposal I will be pressing for an outcome on forestry which best suits the particular needs of this country.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Has the Minister of State considered the implications of the early retirement scheme? Farmers on the early retirement scheme cannot apply to get the enhanced grant available to someone who has been farming full time. Will the Minister of State comment on that? The Minister of State is aware of a particular situation regarding grant aid in my constituency. Are there plans to review the provisions for planning permission to ensure that planting takes place in a sensible and appropriate manner and that communities and individuals are not isolated by the type of planting that takes place?

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The rural development regulations are currently under discussion in Brussels. We must debate that and bring it to a conclusion.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Is the Minister of State confident that it will be changed?

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister and I are working closely to achieve the changes required——

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We do not have much support.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The process will be spread wider and it will be more difficult given the ten new member states in the EU.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State has proved to be a great political fighter in Wexford.

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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We have set up a stakeholder's committee within and working closely with the Department and a number of strong representations have been made to Brussels. We have been working closely with local authorities throughout the country on planning guidelines. Some local authorities adopt a strong line on planning permission and others do not. Representations have been made by Deputies across the country from all sides of the political divide and I have been in contact with a number of local authorities to ensure that afforestation continues and serious impediments are not put in its way in the future. I am aware of some of the problems in Deputy Naughten's constituency. I understand they might now be solved.