Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

46. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tree felling licence applications currently awaiting a natural impact status. [33521/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am acutely aware of the challenges which the forestry sector is experiencing in recent times, not least  the ongoing difficulties with issuing licences for felling. I know that this is impacting  directly on the sector. This is a something  I take very seriously as I am aware of  how important this sector is to the rural economy and to the delivery of wood products.

To give some context to the current situation the delays in issuing licences originates from recent case law from the European Court of Justice and  the High Court . This has  changed how the Department implements environmental law and has resulted in the introduction of  a revised Appropriate Assessment Procedure for forestry licensing.  This procedure aims to protect the integrity of sensitive European Natura sites, which is guaranteed under the Habitats Directive.

These changes in process are very significant requiring new guidelines, standards and protocols and have taken time to develop, and this has led to delays in the issuing of licences. It was important to put in place a robust system to underpin licensing approval, in order that all environmental  requirements are met and that applicants may have confidence in approvals granted.  The procedure now in place meets all regulatory requirements.

The backlog which arose due to these changes must be addressed and my  Department has taken significant steps to do so. We have invested heavily in extra  ecologists and forestry inspectors in order to deal with these licences. A project plan, which takes a systematic approach to clearing files, is in operation. It has defined targets and a Project Management Board which meets weekly to monitor progress. In terms of felling licences we are seeing early progress and we expect to issue licences for over 750,000m3 of timber in October which will be highest amount in 15 months.

In relation to your specific question, there are 1,062 private felling files awaiting completion of the Appropriate Assessment  process. If these require a  2nd stage Appropriate Assessment , the applicant may provide a Natura Impact Statement or in the absence of that the Department's ecologist  will complete an Appropriate Assessment Report.

If an applicant submits a Natura Impact Statement this will significantly reduce the time taken to issue a licence.  In addition to private felling there are 1,132 Coillte files on hand.  Coillte generally provide a Natura Impact Statement if required, which the Department then assesses by means of an Appropriate Assessment Determination.

I do not underestimate the challenge we face in accelerating the number of felling licences issued or the task of ensuring that adequate appropriate assessment is carried out. The felling of trees is an important resource for our timber industry, and provides income to, among others,  the many farmers who invested their land in forestry. My Department is committed to facilitating this  mobilisation of timber, while respecting the environmental requirements of Natura sites.