Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
500. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail the measures his Department is taking to support the forestry sector, given the low level of forestry applications over the past two years. [42695/23]
View answerI am pleased to advise that following on from recent State Aid approval from the European Commission, the Government adopted this programme on 6 September. This is a significant milestone for forestry that will allow for the expansion, protection and development of Ireland’s forests and forestry sector.
I have always been conscious of the needs of the sector and therefore to bridge the gap between the new and old programmes, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.
My Department then also facilitated a number of changes for these interim schemes following industry engagement, such as the changing of the species mix requirements for broadleaves and allowing flexibility where there were a shortage of broadleaf species available for planting to meet the requirements under FT11 and FT12.
To date this year we have issued grant payments for the planting of 1,368 hectares of new forests and for the construction of 49 kilometres of forest roads. Total payments in grants, which ultimately go to the sector, is €16.9 million to date as compared to €15.7 million in the same period last year.
I am pleased to advise that the new Afforestation Scheme for the 2023-2027 period opened for applications on 6 September 2023. This Afforestation Scheme offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular to re-engage with forestry. This can be seen in our increased premia rates for Afforestation. These increases range from between 46% to 66% , along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers across most Forest Types.
Agroforestry has also been revised significantly to facilitate uptake. Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015, and the new Afforestation Scheme will increase the period for premiums from five to 10 years. To date, support has targeted the establishment of silvopastoral systems which combine forestry and pasture, including grazing and the growing of fodder. It is proposed to expand this in the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 with pilot schemes for both silvoarable and forest gardening systems.
The Programme also contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removed the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is our objective to increase and encourage interest in small-scale planting, and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting. This Native Tree Area Scheme will open tomorrow for applications.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I am confident that the diverse range of forest types on offer, coupled with attractive grants and premiums in the new Forestry Programme, will support an increase in forestry afforestation and support scheme applications. A comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for not just for climate change, but for biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
