The Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture, Claire Kerrane has claimed that government inaction on low afforestation rates “risks sleepwalking the forestry sector into disaster”.
Deputy Kerrane recently raised concerns about planting with Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Pippa Hackett in the Dáil.
The TD sought an update on Minister Hackett’s approach to addressing low afforestation rates as the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 has now been in place for several months.
“When I raised concerns with Minister Hackett, she stated that the new programme aims to encourage a substantial increase in afforestation levels, and that it has been ‘warmly welcomed’ by the forestry sector.
“This could not be further from the truth, and I noted this during our exchange in the Dáil,” Deputy Kerrane said.
Forestry
The Sinn Féin TD said it is clear from her engagement with farmers, forestry owners and representatives from organisations working in the forestry sector that there are serious concerns about afforestation under the new programme.
“I cannot understand how the minister is not hearing the same concerns when we are meeting with the same individuals and groups.
“Either she is burying her head in the sand, or refusing to take on board the issues that have been raised with her for months now,” Deputy Kerrane said.
“It has been raised time and time again with the minister that those involved in forestry are worried that afforestation rules under the new Forestry Programme will limit their ability to plant trees.
“Restrictions mean that huge areas of land are likely now ineligible for planting, and I have been contacted by many farmers and foresters who are interested in planting and cannot do so due to these rules, or due to the costs of having their land surveyed.
“And this is not about condoning the planting of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) or unsuitable peatlands, as the minister tried to suggest during our exchange. It is about land which could be used for afforestation being excluded through subjective rules and resulting in continually low afforestation rates under the new programme,” she added.
Planting
The TD said that rates of afforestation under the new programme “remain very low”.
“Just 130ha were planted in January 2024, and about the same will be planted in February according to nursery dispatch records.
“As it stands, rates of afforestation in 2024 are unlikely to surpass the 1,650ha planted in 2023. Considering our annual afforestation target is 8,000ha, this is really alarming,” Deputy Kerrane said.
“The minister and her government states that they want to see increased afforestation, and that they recognise the value of doing so for the environment and for local economies and communities.
“Yet, their actions to date and her responses during our exchange in the Dáil tell an entirely different story.
“The minister also stated that an afforestation working group has been established, which at least shows she is aware that there is an issue.
“However, without an urgent review of the current Forestry Programme and ongoing engagement with representatives from the sector, it is unlikely that there will be substantive improvement in this area,” she added.