The South Antrim MLA said: “I was pleased to attend the Woodland Trust event at Parliament Buildings. Increasing tree cover is essential for meeting our climate change commitments, enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality, reducing flood risk, and supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Northern Ireland.
“I welcome the announcement by Minister Muir of a new Northern Ireland Tree Planting Action Plan. This Plan, which will be developed collaboratively with interested parties and facilitated by the Strategic Investment Board, is a crucial step in tackling the urgent issues set out in the report.
“As John Martin, director of the Woodland Trust NI, has said: ‘The best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago, the second-best time is today. So we need to get on with this urgently.’
“The multiple periods of collapsed government and the reluctance of former AERA Ministers to meet planting targets have left a difficult legacy. However, with Minister Muir’s commitment to deliver a new Tree Planting Action Plan, the focus on tree planting is now moving forward.
“My Alliance colleague, Peter McReynolds MLA, is also introducing a Members’ Bill on tree protection, which aims to strengthen tree protection through preservation orders, introduce a ‘heritage tree’ designation for significant trees, and secure legal safeguards against permitted developments.
“The Alliance Party is committed to seeing these initiatives succeed. However, our efforts must be met with cross-departmental support and strong political will if we are to successfully enhance tree planting efforts across Northern Ireland.”
“I welcome the announcement by Minister Muir of a new Northern Ireland Tree Planting Action Plan. This Plan, which will be developed collaboratively with interested parties and facilitated by the Strategic Investment Board, is a crucial step in tackling the urgent issues set out in the report.
“As John Martin, director of the Woodland Trust NI, has said: ‘The best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago, the second-best time is today. So we need to get on with this urgently.’
“The multiple periods of collapsed government and the reluctance of former AERA Ministers to meet planting targets have left a difficult legacy. However, with Minister Muir’s commitment to deliver a new Tree Planting Action Plan, the focus on tree planting is now moving forward.
“My Alliance colleague, Peter McReynolds MLA, is also introducing a Members’ Bill on tree protection, which aims to strengthen tree protection through preservation orders, introduce a ‘heritage tree’ designation for significant trees, and secure legal safeguards against permitted developments.
“The Alliance Party is committed to seeing these initiatives succeed. However, our efforts must be met with cross-departmental support and strong political will if we are to successfully enhance tree planting efforts across Northern Ireland.”