Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017
439. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the re-introduction of farm forest premium differentials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43927/17]
View answerThe current forestry programme does not differentiate between a “farmer” and “non-farmer” but targets funding at all landowners who wish to convert lands to forestry. It is important to note that the non-farmer category also includes recently retired farmers and the family members of existing farmers and on that basis I am satisfied that the vast bulk of forestry payments remain in rural Ireland. Reinstating the farmer/non-farmer forest premium differential is not an option being considered by the Department.
The reintroduction of such a differential could only be achieved either by an increase in the farmer rate or a reduction in the non-farmer rate. An increase in the premium rate for farmers is no guarantee of increased planting levels by farmers. The other option of reducing the non-farmer rate to create the differential could impact significantly on overall planting levels. This is borne out by planting figures in 2016 where the proportion of land planted by landowners classifying themselves as non-farmers was 36%.
The Forestry Programme 2014-2020 will continue to pay the same premium to all landowners to ensure that the maximum amount of land is available for afforestation. All lands proposed for afforestation are assessed to the same silvicultural and environmental criteria irrespective of who owns the lands.
