Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

185. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his targets for new afforestation in 2023. [61127/22]

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

The afforestation target for 2023 will be 8,000 hectares as set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021 which is a detailed plan for taking decisive action to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting Ireland on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050.

Increasing the area under forestry in the country remains a key priority for me and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027.

Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.

We have announced proposed increases in premiums for planting trees which range from between 46% to 66% along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. The proposed Afforestation Scheme will include 12 Forest Types including new Forest Types such as Forests for Water, Emergent Forests and Continuous Cover Forestry from establishment.

These new Forest Types will offer landowners additional choice and will bring added benefits for the environment and for biodiversity. We also propose to launch a Native Tree Area Scheme following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments.

As the Deputy is aware, an amendment to facilitate this Scheme was made to the Forestry Act 2014, removing the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare.

I hope that the proposed Scheme will contribute to the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation.

I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade

However, I am aware that afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners. Any target that is set must be realistic and we have set an ambitious 8,000ha target which is a significant step up from existing levels achieved in recent years.