To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs pursuant to AQW 18086/17-22, to detail (i) the number of successful applicants; and (ii) the number of trees planted, broken down by constituency.

The Small Woodland Grant Scheme generated 368 applications in 2020 of which 285 were successful. The applications approved relate to an area of 314 hectares which if all were taken forward would result in planting circa 450,000 trees.

At this stage 130 hectares of the successful applications, equating to approximately 190,000 trees has been claimed by land owners as having been planted. Following the end of the SAF 2021 period on 11 June, verification of these claims will now take place against the scheme requirements, including the woodland location and extent. This will facilitate reporting by Constituency when checks have been completed and updating of the NI woodland register.

I am advised that many applicants have indicated their intention to pursue further planting of areas not yet planted in a subsequent application period. The Small Woodland Grant Scheme has reopened on 22 June which will accommodate these applicants in the forthcoming planting season.

The prescribed number of trees in each constituency associated with the 285 successful applications is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Small Woodland Grant Scheme Approved Areas