Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2084. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support farmers and the farming community in relation to afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40348/22]
View answerThe Department actively promotes a ‘Farm Forestry’ approach and I would encourage all farmers to include afforestation as part of their overall farming mix.
The current Forestry Programme which commenced in 2015 and has been extended to the end of 2022 provides significant supports for all landowners, including farmers, who wish to afforest. This includes grants and premiums for 12 different planting categories to promote a good species mix and covers 100% of the cost of establishing a forest.
Grants of up to €6,200 are available for the establishment (including fencing) and maintenance of plantations. An annual premium of up to €680 per hectare is available, depending on the species of trees planted. Participants in the afforestation scheme are also eligible to apply for the basic payment scheme subject to the underlying rules for eligibility.
As set out in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to a new national Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027. A national shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed. This new Forest Strategy will underpin the new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027.
Supports will be included in the next Forestry Programme to incentivise afforestation in pursuit of climate, water, biodiversity and commercial objectives. Consultation on the new Programme is underway and farming representatives have actively participated. It is my hope that will they continue to engage with my Department on this important matter.
As the Deputy may be aware, an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
On 4th April 2022, the new legislation was signed into law by the president. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. The exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland would be available through a scheme which my Department now intends to design and implement.
The development of the scheme will be undertaken following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments. It is hoped that such a scheme will contribute to the stated policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and of re-engaging farmers with afforestation.
