Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
338. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the subsidies available for destroying infected ash stands or hedgerows; the persons eligible to apply for them; if there are payments for farmers or growers who are restricted on sale or movement but do not have to destroy the stock; and the amount this payment is per hectare per year. [15529/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara) supports the reconstitution of ash plantations which have suffered from or are associated with ash dieback disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. The objective of this scheme is to:
- Eradicate the disease in forests affected by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus by supporting the removal and destruction of trees and leaf litter affected by the disease;
- Reconstitute the forest with an alternative species to ash.
Grant assistance will be in respect of costs necessarily incurred in clearing the site and reconstituting the forest, subject to the maximum limit laid down as follows:
|
- |
Crop Type |
Rates per treated hectare |
|
Site Clearance Grant (Removal and Destruction) |
Crop infected by ash -dieback |
Cost to a maximum of €1,500 /ha |
|
1st Instalment (Replanting) |
Conifers Broadleaf |
Cost to max of €2,500 /ha Cost to max of €3,800/ha |
|
2nd Instalment (Maintenance) |
Conifers Broadleaf |
2nd inst cost to max of €800/ha 2nd inst cost to max of €1,200/ha |
All grant aided private forest owners are eligible to apply for the scheme. There are no payments for farmers/growers who are restricted on sale or movement but do not have to destroy the stock.
