Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her reaction to the IFA strategy to meet national planting targets of 20,000 hectares of farm forestry per annum (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19276/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am in agreement with many of the proposals outlined in the strategy and welcome this valuable contribution to the forestry debate at this time. A planting level of 20,000 hectares per annum is one of the targets set out in the programme for Government 2002 and is also in the 1996 programme, Growing for the Future.

I will review the current forestry strategy following the conclusion of the new EU rural development strategy 2007-13 and will seek the views of all stakeholders on the future of this important land use option. I hope the IFA strategy will heighten the awareness and interest of farmers in forestry and contribute to greater participation in the forestry schemes administered by my Department.