Written Answers 1-11
11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to deal with the consistent failure to meet afforestation targets here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25917/14]
View answerThe current Afforestation Scheme provides a range of grants that cover the full cost of establishment of the plantation and payment of annual premiums to both incentivise planting and to compensate for the loss of agricultural activity on the land that is planted. The Afforestation Scheme is a voluntary scheme and is one of a number of land-use options open to landowners.
A number of strategic actions specific to increasing the forest area have been recommended in the soon to be published Forests, products and people – Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision. This document takes account of the final report and recommendations of the Forest Policy Review Group. Amongst these are as follows:
- to reduce the differential between farmer and non-farmer premiums and review annually to determine whether further differential adjustments are warranted to mobilise private sector and institutional investment;
- DAFM to review the incentives for planting larger areas and for consolidating existing forest areas to increase long term competiveness and efficiency in harvesting and transport; and
- DAFM to encourage State organisations and Local Authorities to convert part of their land bank holdings to public purpose forestry and in particular native woodlands.
The draft Forestry Programme for the period 2014 – 2020 has taken these recommendations on board by introducing changes to existing afforestation schemes, by designing new schemes and by retaining both the conservation and establishment elements of the native woodland scheme. The most significant changes being introduced is the single rate of premium which will make forestry more attractive to non-farmers. The new “Forestry for Fibre” measure will allow participants to fell at between 10 and 15 years thereby significantly reducing the length of time before the financial benefits of the plantation can be recovered. The Agro forestry measure, which is being introduced for the first time as an afforestation scheme, will provide further options for farmers who wish to continue grazing livestock while at the same time grow trees. This scheme is being introduced on a small scale pilot basis which will then be reviewed. One of the benefits of agro forestry is that it could act as an introduction to forestry for farmers who may subsequently decide to plant a more traditional forest crop.
Other support measures such as support for knowledge transfer groups, targeted training and producer groups aim to incentivise forest holders to manage their plantations more effectively and to co-operate with neighbouring forest holders when it comes to harvesting and road building.
Further details regarding the new forestry Programme 2015-2020 are due to be submitted for public consultation in July 2014.
