Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
475. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications for the native woodland conservation scheme in situations pertaining to the conversion of existing conifer forest to native woodland must be lodged with the Forestry Service before the clear felling or final harvesting of commercial sitka spruce takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29260/23]
View answerThe Native Woodland Conservation Scheme was offered under the Forestry Programme 2014-2022, and it is proposed to offer a version of the Scheme under the next Forestry Programme 2023-2027. The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines from the EU Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced.
Forestry in Ireland, including any proposed Schemes, operates within a legal and regulatory framework. This is necessary to protect forests and also to ensure that forestry operations and activities are carried out in compliance with the principles of sustainable forest management.
Tree felling licences carry an obligation to replant the area felled. Reforestation after felling is essential to prevent deforestation, which would otherwise counteract the benefits of the initial afforestation. The obligation to replant felled trees is required under the Forestry Acts, associated regulations and is not related to an individual Forestry Programme.
All projects under the Native Woodland Conservation scheme must promote the appropriate native woodland type (or types) identified for the site being applied for, based on soil type, existing woodland, ground vegetation, elevation etc.
An application for a Felling licence ideally should be submitted prior to or in tandem with the Native Woodland Conservation application form. For this reason, The Native Woodland conservation Form 1 includes a Tree Felling Licence application alongside the template for the Native Woodland Plan.
If an applicant hasn't already applied for a felling licence they should submit the above applications which will be considered together.
A replanting plan is set out in the application for a felling licence and is considered as part of the application assessment. If an applicant already holds a valid felling licence they may apply for another Forestry Scheme for the same plot of land, and subject to meeting the conditions attached to that scheme may seek to amend their felling licence and replanting plan, which will be considered by my Department. The Forestry division should be contacted at the earliest opportunity in such circumstances.
