WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3386/97 by Patricia McKENNA to the Commission. Coniferous afforestation in Ireland
Date: 1997-10-16
Institutions: European Parliament, MCKENNA
Subjects: EU aid, Ireland, afforestation, economic development, environmental protection, forestry policy, product diversification, reform of the CAP, silviculture

C 134/154

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

30. 4. 98

(98/C 134/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3385/97

by Fernando Moniz (PSE) to the Commission

(16 October 1997)

Subject: Textile and clothing industry in the EU

The employers(cid:146) associations and trade unions of the textile and clothing industry have been expressing their
concern  over  the  future  of  the  sector,  especially  in  view  of  the  process  of  gradual  integration  into  the
GATT/WTO rules.

The Commission and Parliament have shown increasing awareness of the importance of periodically assessing
trends in the sector, as being vital for defining the outlines of any new action plans.

An important analysis of the textile and clothing industry, drawn up by DG III (Industrial Affairs), was forwarded
some time ago to DG XII (Science and Technology). However, no decision has been taken on the matter, without
any plausible reason being advanced.

Can the Commission explain the reasons for this delay?  Can it also state when it foresees an end to the impasse
thus created, which could prove damaging to workers and companies in the sector?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(11 November 1997)

The Commission communication on the plan of action to increase the competitiveness of the European textile
and clothing industry has been adopted and forwarded to Parliament (1).

(1)  COM(97) 454 final.

(98/C 134/209)

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 (cid:145)Growing for the Future: a strategic plan for the development of the
forestry sector(cid:146). 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.