Government Remains Committed To Fisheries And Forestry Sectors – Minister Of State Killeen

While there are reductions in the budgets of the Marine Institute, BIM and the SFPA, the Minister noted that the seafood processing sector, which is recognised by Dr Noel Cawley in his "Steering A New Course Report" as a growth area, has doubled its budget. A further EUR1.46 million has been set aside specifically to support compliance of fisheries and aquaculture with respect to activities in Natura 2000 sites.

EUR5 million has been made available for aquaculture development support. In addition, funding has been provided to enable the successful completion of the current Decommissioning of Fishing Vessels Scheme.

In conjunction with these initiatives, Minister Killeen also welcomed the prospect of the synergies and opportunities that will result from the integration of seafood marketing and promotion with the State’s food marketing body, Bord Bia, while BIM will retain the overall role in driving the Cawley Report on the development of the Irish seafood industry.

Minister Killeen commented, "The Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Programme 2009 allocation of EUR17 million ensures that there is substantial scope for improving facilities for fisheries activities operating out of Irish harbours. The budget allocated to this programme will be used to develop new infrastructure for fisheries and aquaculture landing places around the coast, while also enabling the continuation of projects currently underway at locations such as Castletownbere, Ros an Mhíl and Greencastle."

Minister Killeen pointed out that the estimate for Forestry for 2009 has increased by 6% over the 2008 estimate.

"Almost EUR128 million is being earmarked for this sector next year. This commitment reflects the Government’s wish to maintain an active and substantial forestry-planting programme including the very successful Forestry Environmental Protection Scheme (FEPS)", explained the Clare T.D.

The Junior Agriculture Minister continued, "This continued support for Forestry recognises the increasing need to respond to the demands of climate change, to ensure a substantial alternative to fossil fuels and to preserve the long-term value of trees and the intermediate value of thinnings. The allocation allows substantial Forestry Programmes to continue in 2009, and for the most important of the support programmes, including Forest Road construction to be promoted".

Minister Killeen pointed out that the value for money in all of the support programmes will need to be demonstrated, and the allocation of funding will be on a basis of strict prioritisation of programmes.

He added that in excess of EUR80 million of this estimate was in the continuing payment of the annual Forestry premiums, the bulk of which are paid, and constitute a important source of income to, the almost 15,000 farmers already engaged in commercial forestry in the country.

"With regard to the assimilation of COFORD into the Department, I fully recognise the huge contribution COFORD has made to the forestry and timber sector in recent years. The details of the structural changes remain to be finalised, but the allocation to the research, development and promotion work in this area will remain significant at nearly EUR4million", concluded Minister Killeen.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900