Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the efforts that are being made to integrate forestry with other farming activities in view of the contribution and involvement forestry can make to a farmer's income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26050/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Forestry premiums were introduced with a view to encouraging farmers to plant new forests. Over 90% of all afforestation undertaken in recent years was by farmers with forestry regarded as an important and viable alternative land use option. For these farmers it is an integral part of their farming activity and a very important source of additional income. In 2008, 11,500 farmers received payments totalling almost €70 million from forestry premiums alone.

My Department introduced the Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS) in 2007. It is aimed at further enhancing the integration of forestry with other farming activities, specifically for farmers participating in REPS. The FEPS measure is aimed at encouraging REPS farmers to create new on-farm woodlands. This not alone helps to protect wildlife habitats and contribute to enhancing and protecting the environment, but also makes a valuable contribution to farm incomes. A total of 204 farmers who participated in FEPs in 2008 received payments in excess of €2 million.

The Government remains committed to the maintenance of an active afforestation programme and would encourage farmers to seriously consider the financial and other contributions forestry can make to their farming enterprises.