AQW 20834/17-22


Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim


Tabled Date: 23/06/2021
Answered On Date: 06/07/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his assessment of the importance of modern forestry and wood production in (i) sequestering carbon and tackling the climate emergency; and (ii) addressing the biodiversity decline.


Answer:
As a form of sustainable land use, modern forestry and wood production makes a significant contribution to Northern Ireland’s overall role in addressing the challenges presented by climate change.
My Department has introduced measures to prevent illegal felling and regulates the removal of forests and woodland. The Forests for our Future afforestation programme of 9000 hectares of woodland expansion in accordance with forestry and environmental standards, by 2030, will increase our capacity to deliver additional benefits in terms of climate change mitigation. Appropriately located forests and woodland also help to reduce the risk of flooding.
Forest Service’s long term management plans identify candidate sites for peatland habitat restoration, and control annual timber production at a level below the annual accumulation of carbon stocks in growing trees.
Northern Ireland’s largest wood processing facility utilises the co-products from sawn timber to make peat substitutes to supply the horticultural market. Its sawmilling co-products are also used to generate electricity and produce wood pellets to offset demand for energy and heat produced by fossil fuel sources. Unprocessed wood products are used as domestic fuel to substitute for other non-renewable and emissions-intensive materials.
Sustainable forestry affords protection to native woodland and other natural habitats, and makes a significant contribution to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity in Northern Ireland. Almost 19% of Forest Service land managed under trees is designated for nature conservation; when open habitats are included this percentage increases to over 25%.
Approximately one-third of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland occurs on Forest Service land, and is managed to ensure that threats to biodiversity, including remnant features, such as veteran trees, deadwood and woodland ground flora, are addressed.
Harvesting of forests for timber production creates opportunities for establishing native woodland and habitat networks, which are often related to water bodies, as the forest is regenerated in line with updated design plans. Forest operations are carefully planned in line with Forestry Standards to avoid disturbing vulnerable species and their habitats. These include breeding raptors such as red kite, hen harrier and merlin, bat species, freshwater pearl mussel, salmonid redds, red squirrels and badger setts.