Written answers

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Forestry Sector

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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846. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body that is representing the forestry sector on the Organic Strategy Forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22740/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Organic Strategy Forum comprises a range of experts from the farming and food processing sectors, organic certification bodies and relevant State Agencies. The immediate focus of the Organic Strategy Forum will be on the continued implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2025. Their meetings will be attended by representatives of my Department and should any forestry queries arise these will be communicated to the Forestry Division.

As the Deputy may be aware, a national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed by Working Group 2 of Project Woodland. Members of Working Group 2 are drawn from stakeholders on the Forestry Policy Group. An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced giving stakeholders an opportunity to engage. This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.

The Organic Farming Scheme is included in the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). Due to the long-term nature of forestry, it is considered the best option to continue to deliver the forestry Programme entirely separately from the CSP, subject to new State Aid rules rather than the requirements of the CSP regulations. The interlinkages between the CAP Strategic Plan and the next Forestry Programme are well understood. These two significant programmes will provide the mechanisms to deliver for farmers, rural communities and for society as a whole.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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847. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position of the study into certification in the private forestry sector that was undertaken by his Department in 2021; the planned next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22741/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The COFORD Council with funding from my Department has carried out a study on forest certification. Forest certification is a voluntary process used by forestry organisations to reassure consumers that the wood and wood products they buy come from sustainably managed forests.

The report is currently being prepared for publishing with a number of key recommendations on how to increase the level of certification in the private sector. The report outlines the extent of private certification in Ireland and examines similar models in other European Member States.

The report outlines that there is approximately 15,680 hectares certified in the private forest estate, or less than 5.69% of the total private estate. Currently all Coillte forests are certified to both the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Standards (PEFC) standard.

It has been agreed that the COFORD Council will now prepare a business case outlining in detail the funding model and funds required to facilitate private certification as outlined in the report. Once this business case is received my Department will examine the level of funding that is being provided by the forest sector and level of funding requested by my Department.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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848. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the unlicensed planting of up to one hectare will form part of the Programme for Government target of 8,000 hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22742/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Forests are defined as areas which are 0.1 hectares or more in size and which have the capacity to reach at least five meters in height and with a minimum canopy cover of at least 20%. Ireland uses this definition as defined in the LULUCF regulation, that is forest areas are defined as 0.1 hectare in size, to account for all forest plots that meet, these criteria.

The target of 8,000 hectares of new afforestation per year as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 will include all DAFM tree planting measures that are 0.1 hectares or more in size.

As the Deputy may be aware, it is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting by removing the licensing requirement for areas not greater than one hectare, which may prove to be a barrier to such planting and be considered onerous and complex. Such an exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland would be available as part of a scheme which my Department intends to design and implement now that the required amendment to the Forestry Act 2014, has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. On 4th April 2022, the new legislation was signed into law by the president. These changes will facilitate the incorporation of additional small scale tree planting in agri-environment schemes.

The development of the scheme will be undertaken following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments. It is hoped that such a scheme will contribute to the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation.

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