To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on (i) the Forests for Our Future programme; and (ii) the interagency working on this scheme.

Since 2020, 1,700 hectares of new woodland has been planted under the Forests for Our Future Programme. The Department has grant aided land owners to plant 1,632 hectares of new woodland on their land. The Department’s Forest Service has increased its forest estate by planting 68 hectares of new woodland.

Officials are continuing to promote woodland creation and are working on an interagency approach with a range of parties across the sector. These key partners, including local councils, NI Water, The National Trust and The Woodland Trust have already planted about 90 hectares within the programme. Additionally, a number of current projects for planting around 200 hectares of new woodland are planned for planting in 2024/25.