Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
171. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has conducted or commissioned any assessments of the biodiversity impact of monoculture forestry plantations, including Sitka spruce; and if he will provide details of any such assessments and their findings. [28981/26]
View answerA detailed assessment was undertaken between 2001 and 2006 to provide information on biodiversity in Irish plantation forests. This study, entitled BIOFOREST, was funded by COFORD and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and was undertaken by University College, Cork, Trinity College and Coillte. The project found that such forests can support diverse species assemblages over the forest cycle, but these contain a large proportion of generalist species and few species of conservation importance. However, mature stands develop a characteristic woodland flora and support forest specialist spiders and hoverflies. The results of BIOFOREST fed into the development by my Department of guidelines, including the current guidelines Environmental Requirements for Afforestation. A further study involving the same partners and called FORESTBIO, set out to derive management strategies for biodiversity in a range of Irish forest types, including Sitka spruce plantations.
Furthermore, the process undertaken in relation to any individual licence application submitted to my Department for afforestation and tree felling assesses the biodiversity impact of the proposed project, and identifies any mitigation that may be required to avoid impact of various aspects of the environment, including biodiversity. As species selection (in terms of afforestation or reforestation) is a core part of such projects, it is considered accordingly and if necessary, adjustments are stipulated which may alter species composition in varies parts of the site.
The current (and recent) Forestry Programme does not permit the creation on new forests comprising monocultures. In fact, the most commercially orientated afforestation option – Forest Type 12 – is aimed are creating new Sitka spruce forests for timber production, but these forests must include 20% broadleaves and up to 15% open space (in the form of environmental setbacks alongside streams, habitats, archaeological features, roads and dwellings). Similarly, while my Department’s Felling and Reforestation Policy allows for reforestation with conifers, a broadleaf and/ or diverse conifer element must be included to protect various sensitivities that may apply to the site, including water, landscape and adjoining dwellings.
The assessment process applied to each individual licence application for tree felling assesses proposed species selection and its impact (alongside other project parameters) on biodiversity (and other environmental receptors), and if needed, adjustments are stipulated.
