Legislative change to pave way for more tree-planting

The Forestry Act 2014 will be amended to remove the requirement for an afforestation license for areas up to 1 ha and to allow increased planting of small areas of riparian woodland.

Senator Pippa Hackett, the minister of state for land use and biodiversity at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said the changes will allow her Department to increase native tree planting.

“These new arrangements will enable my Department to further incentivise the planting of native tree species which will contribute to Ireland’s targets, including climate change, biodiversity, habitats and water quality,” she said. “My Department will consult with industry stakeholders to ensure that the schemes and measures developed will complement existing tree planting schemes.”

She added: “Importantly, the requirement to comply with environmental law is not undermined by making this change as all works are controlled by regulation through a Departmental scheme.

“The development of a scheme will be undertaken following the completion of the strategic environmental assessment and appropriate assessment. Eligibility criteria will be incorporated into the scheme which will ensure that all tree planting works are undertaken in a legally compliant and sustainable manner.”

Stakeholder consultation will take place on any proposed measures to ensure that existing tree planting measures are complementary, the Department said.

Senator Hackett concluded: “I am confident that these changes will be particularly important in terms of creating new native woodlands and undisturbed water setbacks that can be used to deliver meaningful ecosystem services that protect and enhance water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

“The creation of these permanent semi-natural landscape features alongside streams, rivers and lakes will protect and enhance water quality and aquatic habitats into the future.”