Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 30:

In page 17, to delete line 28.

My amendment relates to the Taxus baccata or common yew tree. The tree is included in the appendices to the Bill. My only concern is to learn the rationale behind that. We know that the leaves of the Taxus baccata or common yew are poisonous. The official briefing produced by Teagasc states: "The leaves are poisonous to most livestock, and the seeds are also toxic to animals and children." However, we are now proposing to keep the tree on the index.

Simply, Taxus baccata is very expensive to grow, and it is difficult to grow, seed and germinate. I cannot see too many farmers wanting it and I know that many farmers have cut it down. It is pretty logical that we would not include the yew. I acknowledge that we do not have that many indigenous native conifers or evergreens and that presents problems.

I understand what happened with the other three amendments, which were about pines as well. I had tabled amendments but, unfortunately, I was not in the House. I am not going to talk about them now but I will when we discuss the section later.

Finally, I think the yew tree should be excluded. Its inclusion does not make sense particularly when Teagasc tells us and all the experts, with whom the Minister of State will be familiar, know this too. Taxus baccata is on the list proposed in this legislation. Wherever someone looks it up, it will be stated that the leaves of the common yew are poisonous to most livestock and the seeds are also toxic to animals and children, and, therefore, the planting of native trees is going to present difficulties. It is pretty logical that we should exclude the common yew and I am interested in the Minister of State's response.