Written answers
Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Forestry Sector
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1280. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 20% additional broadleaves required in the new forestry programme under the new forest types can be only one broadleaf species or if a variety of broadleaf species are required under the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1747/24]
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1281. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 20% additional broadleaves required under FT12 can comprise only one broadleaf species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1748/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1280 and 1281 together.
Under the new Forestry programme under certain Forest type selection, it is possible that the broadleaf component may consist of an appropriate singular species or variety of broadleaf species.
As part of the assessment process that my Department undertakes for afforestation applications, the site productivity is evaluated. This is completed by using a method that includes giving existing vegetation on site combined Reaction plus Nitrogen (R+N) values.
All sites submitted for afforestation under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 must reach a R+N score of 6 or greater. This will ensure that all sites will have a baseline level of fertility suitable for the growing of broadleaf trees, including ‘pioneer’ species such as birch, rowan, alder and willow.
Broadleaf trees planted to fulfil the 20% requirement must satisfy the rules underpinning the relevant Forest Type they are being planted under (e.g. FT 1 Native Forest). If planted as additional broadleaves within a plot dominated by conifers, (e.g. FT 12), the species selected must be suited to the immediate site conditions that the trees are being planted into, and must be protected and maintained as necessary.
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1282. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if alder does not qualify for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme in both plots and as additional broadleaves in other forest type plots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1749/24]
Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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1283. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that the Forestry Service will not fail or ask for remedial actions where deer have damaged or eaten alder planted as additional broadleaves under the afforestation or reconstitution programme as alder is not eligible for the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1750/24]
Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1282 and 1283 together.
The Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer fencing scheme assists applicants to protect forests which may be susceptible to damage by deer in the vicinity. Alder, however, is generally not considered palatable for deer to eat and therefore is not susceptible to deer damage in the same way other broadleaf trees are susceptible.
For this reason Alder was deemed ineligible under the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 and its predecessor programme for this scheme.
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