66 Mr. J. Fox asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if it is the Government's stated policy that agricultural land in this country should be retained for agricultural purposes and that only marginal land suitable for forestry should be acquired by Coillte Teoranta. [1732/94]

In the first instance, it is a matter for farmers to use and to dispose of their land in the manner most beneficial to themselves and their families.

Forestry, like the other accompanying measures to the reform of the CAP, is an option for farmers. It is, first and foremost, a decision for farmers themselves whether to afforest their own land, to sell it to others for afforestation or indeed for any other purpose.

The Government has no plans to restrict the rights of farmers to make such decisions in relation to their private property. There are, of course, planning procedures involved where forest development above a certain size is contemplated.