Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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733. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to address the incompatibility of CAP agri-environmental schemes with farmers planting forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26353/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that afforestation by farmers is compatible with the Agri-Environmental Schemes offered by my Department. 682 GLAS participants planted a total of 3,702ha of forestry between 2016 and 2021. The Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme (REAP) will run to the end of 2022.

While parcels brought into REAP may not be converted to forestry during the term of the REAP contract, it is not a whole-of-farm project. Afforestation opportunities continue to exist for REAP participants on parcels that have not been selected for the project.

My Department fully recognises the need for afforestation to be complementary to the CAP Agri-Environmental Schemes.  Newly planted forestry will continue to qualify for the new Basic Income Support Payment, subject to the underlying rules for eligibility for the afforestation Single Payment Scheme (SPS). 

As outlined in the CAP Strategic Plan, various tree planting actions have been included in the Pillar II Agri-Environment Climate Measure (AECM). Furthermore, the planting of trees or participation on agroforestry or native woodland establishment schemes will qualify the applicant for higher status in ranking and selection thereby giving the applicant a greater chance of being awarded an AECM contract. 

As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to a new national Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027, which will be the main implementation vehicle of the new Forest Strategy. This new Forestry Programme will focus on the importance of climate smart forestry and new afforestation will be encouraged in pursuit of climate, water, biodiversity and commercial objectives

An amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.

The exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland would be available through a scheme which my Department now intends to design and implement.  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.