Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will abolish the restrictions that were imposed on forestry planting in areas of the country that were designated as acid sensitive by the Environmental Protection Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30137/07]

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

The restrictions that were imposed on forestry planting in areas of the country that were designated as acid-sensitive were done so because the underlying geology in these areas is acidic. 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. Planting portions of acid-sensitive areas, up to a threshold, with native species can provide significant benefits for biodiversity and riparian zones. COFORD, the National Council for Forest Research and Development, published a report on this recently, 'The Environment Impacts of Planting Broadleaved Trees on Acid-sensitive Soils.'

I welcome the debate around the issues highlighted in the COFORD report and I believe this is an area worth investigating further.