Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1255. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has not yet implemented a frost reconstitution scheme for farm forests; his plans to implement a frost reconstitution scheme; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16427/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland experienced two severe and significant late spring frost events in early May 2019 and again in mid-May 2020. These events affected forest holdings with recently planted trees planted under DAFM’s Afforestation Schemes. Late spring frost can particularly affect commercial forest holdings, both through direct mortality of affected trees, and by influencing reductions in growth form, and consequent impacts on timber quality and values.

We are currently examining the options for a scheme to support woodland owners affected by these frost events.