IFA/FBD forestry insurance deal

Hundreds of acres of private forestry have been destroyed by forest fires during the prolonged dry spell which ended in Easter week. Many of the owners did not have their plantations insured and stand to incur considerable personal losses. IFA has advised all farmer foresters to take out insurance on their plantations to protect themselves against such losses.

IFA Farm Forestry Chairman Pat Lehane reports that the section has negotiated a best rate forestry insurance scheme on behalf of their members with FBD Insurance.

"Cover is available for fire, storm and a range of other risks at the competitive rate of 0.3%. The basic premium is €three for every €1000 sum insured. The policy can also be extended to cover the costs of replanting."

Pat Lehane pointed out "with the suspension of the Forest Service grant to reconstitute forests following fires due to budgetary cutbacks, IFA advises farmers to cover themselves for replanting costs until the grant is reinstated".

Full details of the IFA/FBD Farm Forestry Insurance Scheme are available form IFA Farm Forestry Development Officer Barbara Maguire at 01-4080058.