Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 556: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way in which she proposes to promote forestry, particularly on bad land on the Atlantic seaboard; if such trees can eventually be used for the manufacture of paper here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Forestry is promoted through the provision of a comprehensive package of incentives and supports, through funding for Teagasc and COFORD, and through focused promotional campaigns.

The current package of incentives and supports combines 100% grants for planting and attractive premiums of up to €500 per hectare, payable for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers. Farmers can plant up to 50% of their land and still draw down the full single payment, as well as the forestry premium. All income earned from commercial woodlands, including the premium, is exempt from tax. Financial support is also available for the growing forest in the form of grants for the shaping and pruning operations, and for forest roads.

With regard to afforestation on the western seaboard and elsewhere, it should be noted that all grant aid is contingent on the land being able to grow a commercial crop of trees. It is also important to note that all afforestation must have regard to broader environmental considerations.

On the question of paper manufacture, there is no paper making facility in the State and most of the material produced here is used in wood processing and construction. Wood energy is now beginning to offer real potential as an outlet for forestry production. Our main wood species, Sitka Spruce, is suitable for paper production.