Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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844. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider amending the Forestry Act 2014 in order that the definition of forestry is changed from 0.10ha to 0.50ha to allow landowners to plant small parcels of land without administrative restrictions and without having to seek Ministerial approval via the licensing application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46095/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is currently examining options to increase the level of small scale planting of individual and groups of trees in the proposed agri-environment measures under the new CAP Strategic Plan. This may require a legislative change to the Forestry Act 2014 which currently provides that a licence is required for all tree planting above the 0.1 ha. threshold.

Any changes considered will have to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place and will be targeted specifically at the planting of native trees for biodiversity reasons.

On the basis of recommendations from the Project Woodland Working Groups, the Department has also commissioned a review of the forestry licensing process which may provide for areas where the existing legislation can be revised and streamlined. This work will take place over the next few months and will influence the future of the licensing process also.