Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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1688. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if afforestation plantations, specifically sitka spruce trees will be allowed on land that comes under the good agricultural environmental condition 2 (GAEC 2) standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18925/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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There are no additional changes/restrictions to the outlined national afforestation policy arising from the implementation of GAEC 2.

Sites that apply to be afforested must meet certain requirements before they are issued an afforestation licence and these are outlined in the Land Types for Afforestation document which is available on my Departments website.

GAEC 2 (protection of carbon rich soils) is a baseline requirement under the CAP regulations. Peat soils are an extremely important store of carbon in Ireland and any future afforestation must not undermine this function. As part of the Forestry Programme 2023 to 2027, my Department reassessed its policy with regard to afforestation on peat soils. Consideration was given to requirements of National and EU law when it comes to the afforestation of these areas.

Ireland is required to ensure that carbon sinks and reservoirs, including forests, are conserved and enhanced, as appropriate, with a view to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and meeting the ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by 2050. These requirements are enshrined in national legislation through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and in European law through its regulation on land, land use change and forestry.

In relation to the content of Ireland's State Aid Approval letter from the Commission in relation to afforestation Condition number 63 is relevant and clear in terms of the obligations around peat and afforestation “The inappropriate afforestation of sensitive habitats such as peat lands and wetlands will be avoided, as well as the negative effects on areas of high ecological value including areas under high natural value farming. With a view to ensuring that the carbon balance is neutral or positive, afforestation of organo-mineral soils with peat depth greater than 30 cm are excluded from afforestation, afforestation of organo-mineral soils with peat depth lower than 30 cm is subject is safeguards, and afforestation of fens and cutaway peats will involve no additional drainage and be limited to native species.”

Taking into consideration the legislative requirements, state aid approval for Ireland’s forest programme and new science on emissions from peat soils, there are two options for the future afforestation of organic soils in agricultural use, both of which deliver a positive greenhouse balance.

The first option allows for the planting of shallow peat soils, including mixed coniferous high forest, in agricultural use where the depth of peat does not exceed 30 cm and the site meets the minimum productivity requirements. Including mixed coniferous high forest. The second option allows the planting of trees on fens and cutaway raised bogs in agricultural use but is restricted to native broadleaves.