John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the forestry planting rates for the past 15 years; if these are meeting existing targets; the reason for the fall-off in planting in recent years; her plans to ensure that the Government's existing target is met and exceeded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32924/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 1991 some 228,159 hectares of new forestry have been planted, an average planting rate of 15,000 hectares a year. The current planting target of 20,000 hectares per annum, including public planting of 5,000 hectares per annum was set in 1996.

The reasons why the annual planting target has not been met are complex. In the first place, public planting ceased almost completely in the late 1990s, because of a Court of Justice ruling which found that Coillte Teoranta was ineligible for afforestation supports. In more recent years, a combination of high land prices, competing land-use options and uncertainty about future agricultural scenarios has led to a reluctance on the part of many farmers to commit their land to forestry.

In terms of incentives, the current forestry grant and premium package including advice from Teagasc is without doubt the most attractive that has ever been available. Farmers and land-owners can avail of an establishment grant of 100% of costs, a tax free premium of up to €500 per hectare per annum for 20 years, at present, and under the Single Payment Scheme, farmers can plant up to 50% of their eligible claimed area, without losing any entitlements.

Under the new Rural Development Plan 2007–2013, I intend to bring forward a new Forestry Programme. The detail of the new Rural Development Plan and its forestry component has yet to be finalised, but it will be made available for public consultation shortly.

Earlier this year my Department embarked on a joint initiative with the Irish Forestry Industry Chain (IFIC) under the heading 'Forests for a Bright Future' to highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry and to stimulate up-take in the afforestation programme. This promotional campaign is expected to run for at least eighteen months, and is promoting the advantages of forestry, particularly to farmers, with a view to increasing the rate of new planting.