Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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41. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current amount of tree-cover in view of the recent removal and regenderation of scrub and natural woodland linked to the single farm payment criteria and the pressure on woodlands caused by Food Harvest 2020's focus on targets to increase production by 50%, on the basis of assumptions relating to digital mapping systems and the most recent National Forestry Inventory information collected between 2009 and 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26100/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Forest Inventory estimated the current tree cover to be 731,650 hectares or 10.5% of the total land area of Ireland.

The Deputy suggests a “snapshot evaluation” using Google Earth and the Forest Service digital mapping systems. However, this is not possible as, while the Department mapping systems are underpinned by ortho-photography, a comparison cannot be made between its datasets and the trees and forests depicted on Google Earth. The Department mapping datasets contain defined boundary informationin respect of all forests; they do not contain information on hedgerows or individual trees (including those in scrubland). Google Earth however has no boundaries recorded in respect of forests, or information on hedgerows or scrubland; it has no measured data against which Department data can be compared.

However, the Department is responsible for issuing tree felling licences and, thus, for policy on deforestation. In this respect, it must take into account the environment, landscape, sustainable forest management, and all relevant legislation. Apart from normal forestry operations, with certain exceptions, a licence is also required to fell trees in natural woodlands, trees situated in scrubland, or individual trees.

In order to protect woodlands, promote sustainable forest management, avoid excessive carbon credit costs, and protect the substantial State investment in afforestation programmes, the Department has a well-established policy of requiring replanting after felling. Where the landowner does not wish to replant the area felled, he may afforest an alternative site. Any project that is for commercial gain is required to replant the site or to afforest an alternative location (e.g. housing development, farming, industrial, wind farm, etc.).

The recently launched €262 million Forestry Programme 2014-2020 aims to facilitate the planting of almost 44,000 hectares of new forests. It incorporates Agro-Forestry, Native Woodland Establishment and Woodland Improvement Schemes, a NeighbourWood Scheme, and a Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. The aim of the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme is to support the protection and enhancement of existing native woodland, primarily to protect and enhance native woodland ecosystems. It is focused on restorative management of existing native woodlands. A strong priority will be placed on important native woodland types and opportunities for habitat linkage, and on environmentally sensitive areas, with a view to realising wider ecosystems services such as water protection.

Given the safeguards that the current legislation and policy provide, and the commitment provided by the Forestry Programme 2014-2020, I am confident that my Department is in a position to protect the landscape, environment and national forest estate, while meeting the demands of successfully developing the Agriculture Sector through the various schemes and reports such as Food Harvest 2020.