Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage targets of total land he expects to achieve in relation to afforestation of land for each of the next ten years in view of the decisions taken in budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43890/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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By the end of 2007 Ireland had over 10% of land area under forest cover. This is someway short of the average EU-member State coverage of 35% and it is my intention to continue to support increased sustainable afforestation.

My Department, however, remains committed to working towards the achievement of the 17% forest cover target as specified in the Forestry Strategic Plan. It is not possible to accurately forecast the exact planting levels in Ireland for each of the next ten years but I do expect planting levels to increase from this year's level of 6,500 hectares in the light of the very attractive levels of State support for farmer planting now in place.