Dáil debates

Thursday, 25 May 2023

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Forestry Sector

11:10 am

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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54. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support farmers in tackling ash dieback. [25028/23]

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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There is a growing concern among farmers and landowners regarding the impact of ash dieback on roadside trees. Potential safety risks stem from the trees themselves and there are also the challenges of safely felling infected trees. Farmers will potentially need to hire a tree specialist to properly assess the trees on their land and to safely remove impacted ash trees. Currently, however, there is no financial support for the management of roadside ash trees. Will the Minister of State provide it soon?

I am not sure if I should declare an interest in this regard. We have forestry on my family farm, although I do not think it is applicable because this question is about roadside trees and I do not think we would be availing of any funding for that.

Photo of Pippa HackettPippa Hackett (Green Party)
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I suppose the Deputy's question did not specifically relate to roadside trees but it is an essential element of this context. As I said earlier, I think about one quarter of our trees, whether in hedges or out in the countryside, are ash. Ash dieback, therefore, is having a significant impact not only on plantation owners but in the wider countryside as well. We are, therefore, going to see a significant visual change, sadly, in how our landscape will look like in the years to come.

The Deputy will be aware of the supports we have in place for farmers with plantation ash in respect of the reconstitution and underplanting scheme, RUS, initiative and we have increased the supports for that measure this year. We have also introduced a de minimisscheme for farmers to apply to while we are still waiting for the new forestry programme to be approved.

Turning to roadside trees, these are the responsibility of the landowners themselves. Having said that, though, we have roadside trees along main national roads and this aspect will be the responsibility of the transport sector. We need to examine this issue. There is something to be done in respect of evaluating how we can support farmers and landowners, and not only on their own farms but more generally, and whether there will be some sort of replacement process of tree planting in areas affected. I say this because we are going to see a significant change in the landscape. I read recently about a UK scheme where landowners there can come together and apply for grant support to manage dying trees, so there may be something in that approach that we can consider.

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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It is good that the Minister of State is looking into this issue. Regarding the schemes to date, the concern I am hearing about from farmers and landowners is that there needs to be more support in this regard. In all likelihood, as the Minister of State said, ash dieback will cause the death of the majority of ash trees here over the next two decades. This will impact roadside trees and increase the risk of falling branches and trees. This presents a clear public concern. Landowners are obliged under the Roads Act 1993 to ensure roadside trees do not present danger, which means they ultimately have the financial responsibility to manage roadside ash trees and pay for the services of professionals, consultants and contractors to carry out inspections. Many of us do not have the skills or expertise to assess the situation. Some of this work can only be completed by professionals, meaning farmers have no choice but to employ them. I understand farm organisations are calling for a financial support scheme to assist farmers in managing this issue. Is this something that is being explored or is the provision of expertise or advice?

Photo of Pippa HackettPippa Hackett (Green Party)
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Regarding supports, again the responsibility for trees will vary, depending on where they are positioned. We probably need to look at this issue more cross-departmentally. Local authorities might have a role to play here, as might the Department of Transport and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Our focus has been on those plantation ash tree issues. Approximately 15,000 ha or 16,000 ha of ash were planted and these are all now affected by ash dieback. This is where our focus has been. I accept that not everyone is happy with the scheme but a significant number of farmers have applied for RUS and have been satisfied with it. Again, we will keep this under continual examination. I keep this matter under watch. The issue of ash trees in the wider landscape, though, needs to be examined as well.

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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Given all we know about this issue, we need to get out in front of it. We know the prevalence of ash dieback and its inevitable impact on roadside trees. A targeted scheme would also serve as a proactive measure to encourage landowners to engage in inspections and address risks before they become dangerous. There are larger issues in terms of the approach to the situation. Even the improvements to the interim reconstitution scheme for ash dieback do not cover the full costs associated with clearing and replanting affected sites and the financial loss incurred by farmers or compensate for the loss of timber earnings.

In her response to a previous question from Deputy Kerrane, the Minister of State spoke about exemptions from licensing for the felling of impacted trees. She is saying an exemption from the requirement to get a licence to fell trees, in the case of those infected by ash dieback, could cause environmental damage. If there is a danger in respect of a tree at risk from this disease and there is a delay in the licensing of felling, how much has the Department explored this situation? Will the licensing system be sped up for a situation like this? What research has been done regarding the potential need in this context?

Photo of Pippa HackettPippa Hackett (Green Party)
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Any farmer wishing to apply for RUS will submit an application for it. This is part of the process to avail of the scheme and an aspect of this will be the felling licence element. If people have significant concerns about any serious threat or danger in the short term, they could certainly reach out to the Department and highlight it. Unfortunately, many people are in the same boat here.

Returning to the original points about the widespread nature of this issue, Teagasc is working to try to identify species in respect of some trees potentially being resistant to ash dieback. Potentially, this may be 1% or 2%, but this would be nice if it were to prove the case. We need expertise in this regard. Anyone who has seen this disease can clearly identify it. If a tree does not look like it has it, however, perhaps it might be one that is resistant to ash dieback. We must examine this aspect too. If 1% or 2% of trees prove to be resistant, it would be great to mind them.