Robert Molloy
Question:16 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, he has to confine forestry premium payments to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13769/96]
Written Answers. - Forestry Premium Payments.
Council Regulation (EEC) 2080/92 which is the basis for the current afforestation grant and forestry premium schemes provides that private persons as well as farmers, who undertake afforestation of agricultural land, are entitled to both grant and premium payments. I, therefore, have no plans to confine premium payments to farmers, nor would it be legally possible to do so.
Premium payments are differentiated in favour of farmers. For instance, under the current forestry premium scheme, farmers are entitled to receive premium of up to £300 per hectare per annum over a period of 20 years, a total of £6,000 per hectare over that period, whereas the maximum payment for non-farmers is £120 per hectare per annum for a period of 15 years, or a total of £1,800 per hectare.