Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
931. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what steps his Department is taking to promote agroforestry and its integration into agricultural practices for sustainable land use through the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which is due to commence in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36377/23]
View answerAgroforestry is recognised as a land use option that is positive for animal welfare, improves biodiversity, can off-set emissions, and can prevent nutrient runoff when planted in strategic locations. In addition, it is possible to grow quality timber with little impact on existing agricultural production.
Therefore, the new Forestry Programme has been designed to reflect the positive role farmers who use Agroforestry systems can play in reaching our sustainable land use and afforestation goals.
The proposed Afforestation Scheme under the next Forestry Programme offers increased grants and premiums for Agroforestry at €8,555 per ha for the establishment grant and €975 per ha annual premium for 10 years. Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015 and the measure mainly targeted silvopastoral systems which combine forestry and pasture, including grazing and the growing of fodder. It is proposed to expand this in the next Forestry Programme with pilot schemes for silvoarable and forest gardening systems.
This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help diversify farm income streams alongside helping to meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives. My Department has developed the Scheme so that land parcels declared as Agroforestry on a BISS application will qualify for an Organic Farming Scheme payment at the drystock rate. This allows a farmer to claim an Agroforestry Premium, Organic Farming Scheme payment and BISS on their land.
We plan to engage in a comprehensive promotional campaign for the new forestry programme, including the promotion of agroforestry. This will include a national advertising campaign, local radio campaign, direct messaging to farmers, promotional activities in conjunction with Teagasc, other stakeholders events, a major focus on forestry at the National Ploughing Competition and a call for proposals concentrating on promotion of the programme.
