Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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17. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in relation to circular 5/2021, this means the silvicultural use of conifer species as a nurse species for broadleaf species is not allowable in the RUS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51246/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's forestry-related Circular 5 of 2021 outlines the advice the Department received from Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in relation to the “replacement of Broadleaf High Forest with conifer species”.

The Circular outlined the situations where planning permission from the Local Authority is required when replacing Broadleaf High Forest with Conifer species and when planning permission is not required.  For example, areas over ten hectares and areas screened in for Appropriate assessment require planning permission if the project involves replacement of high forest with conifer species.

The requirement for planning does not take into account the disease status of the Broadleaf High Forest.

The Circular does not mention the use of conifer species as a nurse species for broadleaf species nor does the circular state that using a nurse species is not allowed.  Applicants can propose any species or range of species they wish including mixtures under the Reconstitution and Underplanting scheme.

I am well aware that this requirement for planning permission has introduced further difficulties for landowners wishing to clear their diseased ash plantations and replace them with other species.

Contact has been made between Department officials and their counterparts in Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage on this issue as outlined at the meeting with the Oireachtas Committee. We are exploring potential alternatives to the current system. 

My Department will update in due course on developments.