Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 742: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on agroforestry projects and the new botanical industry here and the need to develop innovative plans to assist biodiversity in forestry, climate change and agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22841/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Agroforestry is a land use system which facilitates the growing of trees with crop and livestock production on the same land unit. There are several types of agroforestry systems but it commonly involves growing crops or grazing livestock between rows of trees planted at wide intervals. Agroforestry is not widely practised in Ireland, but it offers considerable potential on many Irish farms to plant trees in ways which contribute actively to a better environment, while complementing existing farming practice. While there appears to be some increased interest in agroforestry among some farmers, there are no immediate plans to introduce a specific agroforestry scheme.