Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

647. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if harvesting lop and top or brash from forestry harvesting sites is permitted with the current standard for harvesting and replanting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44728/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Lop-and-top or brash are terms given to the side branches and tops of trees that are normally cut from the main stem and left on site during harvesting operations. There is no licence requirement if a landowner wishes to remove some of this material from a site.

The Department's 'Standards for Felling and Reforestation' specifies the use of brash in creating and maintaining dense mats of brash and branch wood on all machine routes, to avoid soil damage, erosion and sedimentation. Brash mats are typically concentrated on primary routes and in the junction of extraction paths and landing sites.

Removing lop on top or brash from site is not described in the Standards for felling and reforestation. Like any non licensed activities it is important that it is done in such a way that it does not interfere with the licence conditions being met. I understand lop and top or brash is sometimes removed from sites and used as a biomass for wood fuel. This should only be done on certain sites where the operation will not have any adverse effects on water quality.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

648. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an afforestation application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44745/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Forestry Contract number CN48948 refers to a FEPS application approved in August 2008 by the Forestry Division of my Department. The works approved were carried out and all grants and premiums have been paid in respect of this contract.