WRITTEN QUESTION P-3386/97 by Patricia McKenna (V) to the Commission (16 October 1997)

Subject: Coniferous afforestation in Ireland

Ireland has by far the highest level of afforestation with non-indigenous species in the European Union. It is estimated that 80% of the trees planted in Ireland are non-indigenous, with sitka spruce as the dominant species. Spain has the next highest level of non-indigenous plantation - about 45%.

Last year the Irish Government published 'Growing for the Future: a strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector'. Though acknowledging that there has been some criticism by environmentalists of the type of afforestation pursued by the state company Coillte, it signalled that there would be no major shift from the policy of favouring conifers. Sitka spruce would comprise 60% of annual afforestation and diverse conifers (such as Norway spruce, Douglas fir, European larch and Scots pine) would comprise a further 20%. Meanwhile, the annual target for broadleaf afforestation remained at 20%. No afforestation level for native species was specified (although it was stipulated that oaks should comprise at least one fifth of the broadleaf plantation, it was not stated whether or not those oaks should be native Irish).

A study also published last year by three Irish universities found high levels of acidity in areas with dense coniferous afforestation.

Afforestation in Ireland is heavily dependent on EU financial support. The EU has agreed to provide IEP 66 million under the Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry and to date has allocated IEP 65 million to the forestry measures associated with the CAP.

Most of this aid is given under Council Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 ((OJ L 215, 30.7.1992, p. 96. )) which establishes a scheme for assisting forestry measures in agriculture. Article 1 of that Regulation states that the scheme shall, among other things, 'contribute towards forms of countryside management more compatible with environmental balance'.

Does the Commission accept that Ireland has failed to respect the terms of that Regulation? What action will it take to ensure that Ireland's afforestation policy becomes more beneficial to the environment?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (11 November 1997)

The Honourable Member is correct in stating that afforestation in Ireland is heavily reliant on Community financial support. This is principally provided under Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 instituting a Community aid scheme for forestry measures in agriculture. Besides the environmental objectives already mentioned by the Honourable Member this scheme has other important objectives which are to accompany the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) by providing alternative incomes to farmers, to improve forest resources and to combat the greenhouse affect by enhancing the absorption of carbon dioxide. Both the Irish government's long term strategic plan for the development of the forestry sector in Ireland and the Irish afforestation programme under Regulation (EEC) No 2080/92 indicate a support for these objectives.

The Irish afforestation programme reflects the primary objective of forestry in Ireland (as in most other Member States) which is the production of timber for a variety of uses. This primary objective of the programme does not however exclude the recognition of the many other facets of forestry which are agricultural diversification, rural development, employment, environment, tourism and industrial development. The programme also sets out the measures taken to evaluate and monitor environmental impact and compatibility with land use criteria, as requested by Article 4 of Regulation (EEC) 2080/92. Environmental concerns in relation to afforestation plans which are referred to in the programme include special areas of conservation (SACs), natural heritage areas (NHAs), sensitive fisheries, listed scenic landscapes and archaeological sites and monuments. Ireland's forestry strategy also includes a commitment to a regular review and improvement of environmental measures and to the introduction of a variety of new measures including guidelines on harvesting and biodiversity, best forest practice, forest inventory and a review of existing forestry legislation.

In terms of the environmental effects the Irish afforestation practice must also comply with Community environmental legislation concerning the conservation of natural habitats, the conservation of wild birds, water pollution and environmental impact assessment. The Commission as part of its efforts to ensure environmental protection and benefits in respect of Irish afforestation practice regularly discusses with the Irish authorities the issue of environmental balance and compliance with the environmental legislation.

The Commission also would draw the attention of the Honourable Member to the endorsement by both Ireland and the Community of the guidelines for the sustainable management of forests in Europe as contained in the Resolution No H1 of the Helsinki ministerial conference on the protection of forests in Europe. Following these guidelines tree species should be suited to local conditions, and while native species should be preferred where appropriate, introduced species are not discouraged. Introduced species should be accepted where they provide more benefits than indigenous species in terms of wood production and other functions, subject to their negative impacts being assessed.

The Commission will continue to monitor the implementation of the Irish afforestation programme and Irish commitments with regard to the environmental impacts of its long term forestry strategy.