AQW 3252/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 05/03/2020
Answered On Date: 23/03/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what action he will take to include voluntary and conservation groups in the proposed Forests for our Future programme.

Answer:

My recent statement in the Assembly announced a new Programme of Afforestation: Forest for our Future programme, which will plant 18 million trees creating 9,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030 to contribute to the UK’s net zero carbon target.

There will be opportunities for voluntary and conservation groups to take part in planting on public land identified through a cross Governmental and local Council Afforestation Forum which will develop plans for woodland creation on suitable public land under their control.

The Afforestation Programme, as outlined in my statement, will need also to further encourage voluntary and conservation groups to plant new woodland on land which they own. Support for this through the forestry grant schemes is currently under review, including the development of a specific small woodland grant scheme designed to help these groups to integrate woodlands into their holdings.