Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage targets of total land she expects to achieve in relation to afforestation of land for each of the next ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6871/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The national forest estate extends to some 700,000 hectares or 10% of the total land area. This figure is less than one third of the EU average.

The Strategic Plan for the Development of the Forestry Sector in Ireland, 'Growing for the Future', sets a target of 17% of the total land area for forest cover. Over the period of the National Development Plan, the immediate objective is for annual planting to grow to 10,000 hectares per annum and stabilise at that level.

The forestry planting schemes are demand-led but the incentive structure available is kept under review to keep the afforestation option attractive to farmers.