Minister announces re-launch of Forestry Support Schemes
Speaking at the Coillte Annual Conference, Mr Joe Walsh TD, Minister for Agriculture and Food, announced that funding of over €6m is available for the forestry support schemes.
This the Minister said is "further evidence of the Government's commitment to the continued development of the forestry sector". Already the Government Estimate in 2004 has been increased by some 31% above the 2003 Estimate.
On a personal note the Minister said that he very much welcomed the return of forestry to his Department. He is convinced of the considerable potential for forestry as a viable land use option.
Since assuming responsibility, from the beginning of the year, he has taken a number of important initiatives. These include
- A study to assess possibilities for the continued strategic development of the sector.
- Bilateral discussions with Commissioner Fischler on the implications for forestry and the Single Payment Entitlements. The Minister remains confident of a successful outcome.
- The speedy issue of planting approvals by his Department. There has been a heartening renewal of interest in planting and the Minister is confident that his planting target of at least 10,000 hectares will be achieved.
"The support schemes are" according to the Minister "an essential element of the overall forestry programme." They are also critical in terms of meeting Partnership commitments, our ongoing commitment to those who have already planted and most importantly in terms of the need to maintain and enhance existing plantations.
In re-launching the schemes the Minister referred in particular to the Roads, Reconstitution, Native Woodland and Neighbour Wood Schemes. These schemes will be available on a more focused and targeted basis to ensure value for money for the taxpayer.
The Roads scheme will be targeted at forest owners who intended to carry out thinning of plantations in the immediate future. The Reconstitution scheme will be available to facilitate replanting particularly by those who suffered losses last year from the increased number of forest fires.
The Minister said that the increased allocation for the support schemes is another part of the building blocks for the continued development of the forestry sector. They also represent clear evidence of his and Government commitment to the sector.
In his address Minister Walsh commended Coillte on its performance in 2003 and on its central role in the major development of forestry in Ireland since 1988. He said that he wanted to build on Coillte's success and establish a new and appropriate developmental role for it that drives forestry and land-use policy forward in the changing circumstances. "Coillte is developing its own concepts and plans for the future and I am looking forward to further discussions on these with a view to maximising the resources and capabilities that Coillte has available in both upstream and downstream sectors of the industry".
12 February, 2004
Date Released: 12 February 2004
