Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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1671.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an issue regarding felling licence conditions (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32278/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the water setback condition is to create a buffer of natural ground vegetation positioned between defined water features and the subsequent forest crop that will emerge after replanting takes place. The aim is to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems from possible sediment and nutrient runoff from the site during various operations throughout the forest rotation, especially tree felling. It is an area of a defined width, which is left undisturbed and unplanted, allowing vegetation to grow and providing a filtration buffer between the water feature and the subsequent forest crop.

Setback distances are set out in Table 4 of my Department’s publication ‘Environmental Requirements for Afforestation' and start at 10 metres for mineral soils on moderate slopes, to 25 metres on steep slopes on soils with a peat component or on sites within the sub-basin of high status objective waterbodies, as identified under the Water Framework Directive process. The extent of open space created by setbacks is therefore dependant on site types and the amount and type of water features on and immediately adjoining the site. It is the case that many forests planted in the past that are now ready for clearfell were planted on peaty sites with steep slopes. Licences issued for such sites therefore stipulate the installation of a 25 m wide water setback, where traversed by or adjoining an aquatic zone.

During 2023, my Department compiled a document setting out proposed mitigation measures intended for inclusion as conditions in Tree Felling Licences. This document includes mitigation based on water setbacks, similar to those for afforestation but refined for felling / reforestation. My Department has also engaged an environmental consultancy to review this mitigation document, and has also held discussions with a small group of forestry representatives regarding on-the-ground practicalities arising from the proposed mitigation therein. The next draft of the mitigations document will be subject to a stakeholder consultation later this year.