Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the draft forestry and freshwater pearl mussel requirements and the moratorium on felling in the areas hosting the species; the number of hectares involved in each catchment; and the number and extent of suspended or pending forestry felling licences involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31740/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The moratorium on felling within areas with freshwater pearl mussel populations is still in place, pending final decision on the new Requirements governing forestry operations in such areas.

Approximately 945 hectares are affected at present in the moratorium areas, where felling licence applications are being held pending publication of the agreed Requirements.

The attached table provides details of the moratorium areas within each catchment, based on a 6 km hydrological distance, together with details of existing forest cover within each catchment.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason an analysis to establish the constraints and impacts at a high level for areas designated for the freshwater pearl mussel and to construct the principles through which new afforestation must proceed, was absent from the strategic environmental assessment undertaken by her Department for the Rural Development Plan 2006 to 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31741/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 was a formal, systematic evaluation of the anticipated significant environmental effects of the Plan. The associated Environmental Report is positioned at the top of a hierarchy of assessment measures and requirements that are applied at implementation level.

The Report identifies threats to water quality as one of the principal potential adverse effects of forestry and pearl mussel habitats are highlighted in the context of introducing measures to improve water quality. At implementation level, a range of assessment measures and guidelines act to counter the potential adverse effects with specific account taken of the freshwater pearl mussel.

All applications for afforestation are subject to a detailed screening procedure to determine if an environmental impact assessment is necessary. The procedure includes specific reference to the freshwater pearl mussel. In addition, applications arising from within a designated site or within three kilometres upstream of such a site are referred to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Finally, all forestry operations, including afforestation must be carried out in accordance with the published Code of Best Forest Practice and associated Guidelines including Forestry and Water Quality. Specific guidelines for the further protection of the freshwater pearl mussel — Forestry and Freshwater Pearl Mussel Requirements — have been drafted and will be published soon.