P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her plans to expand the land engaged in forestry as advised by COFORD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30134/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The advice from COFORD, in this context, concerned the potential for appropriate planting on lands designated as acid-sensitive. This follows on from their recently published report — 'The Environmental Impacts of Planting Broadleaved Trees on Acid-sensitive Soils.'

Afforestation on such land is currently subject to strict controls because trees, especially evergreen trees, have the ability to scrub pollutants from the atmosphere which, when washed down onto acid soils may cause increased acidification of watercourses. This policy is kept under review in the light of ongoing national and international research findings.

There are, of course, many benefits associated with planting trees and it has been suggested that planting portions of acid-sensitive areas, up to a threshold, with native species will provide significant benefits for biodiversity and riparian zones. The COFORD report examined national and international data on this subject and called for further studies which are now underway or planned. I believe this is an area worth investigating in the Irish context.