Roscommon-Galway TD Claire Kerrane has raised concerns about low afforestation licensing figures following the recent rollout of the new Forestry Programme.
Recent figures show that just 42 afforestation licences have been issued this year so far, and just two applications have been referred to the Department’s Ecology unit for review to date in November.
Deputy Kerrane said she has have engaged with individuals and organisations representing farmers, forestry owners and the commercial forestry sector in recent weeks.
She said that the licence figures are “indicative of the wider concerns” raised by them regarding the management of forestry.
“Many have raised the same worries that the new afforestation scheme under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is too limited and restrictive, and at times, too administratively burdensome to allow for the levels of afforestation that we need,” the Sinn Féin TD said.
“While I understand that eligibility criteria for planting is required, it cannot be the case that rules are so rigid to prevent afforestation on scale.”
