Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if her attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by the European Environment Agency regarding the State's tree planting policy and particularly the high level of planting in peatland, which releases a substantial greenhouse and carbon emission; the proportion of planting on peatland in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21803/07]

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

I am aware of this issue, which dates back to 2004. A report by the European Environment Agency claimed that 84% of planting since 1990 had taken place on peats.

That figure was based on satellite imagery and did not correspond in any way to the information available to my Department at the time, which showed that the actual level of afforestation on peats was between 26% and 43.5%, since 1990. The highest levels of planting on peats occurred during the earlier years of this period.

Based on current approaches and methods for estimating soil carbon dioxide emissions arising from afforestation and deforestation since 1990, an emission factor of 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide, per hectare, per year for the first 4 years following afforestation is applied to peats. This amount is deducted from the carbon dioxide uptake by the growing forest. Over the life-cycle of these forests, the level of carbon dioxide sequestered more than outweighs the carbon dioxide emissions produced in the short-term following initial afforestation.

According to the most recent analysis by my Department, the proportion of afforestation on peats over the past five years is as follows:

These latest data support the earlier findings of my Department.

Finally, there are very strict procedures in place regarding the afforestation of peat lands. These procedures effectively rule out grant-aid for planting on intact raised bogs of the midlands, or the impoverished, oligotrophic deep blanket peats of the west.