The total amount of afforestation payments declined over the past two years as new plantings slowed down, and the share paid to farmers fell even faster.
In 2015, €94m was paid to farmers and €5m to non-farmers in forestry grants and premiums.
In 2016, payments to non-farmers doubled to over €10m, while those to farmers fell to €88m.
Last year, non-farmers again collected an increased amount of €11m, while payments to farmers continued on the same downward trend and amounted to €82m.
Grants are paid to assist the establishment of new plantations while premiums are paid to support forestry for up to 15 years. Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed compiled the figures in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Eamon Scanlon from Sligo-Leitrim, the area with the fastest increase in new plantations.
32-year low
The changes in payments reflects those in afforestation, which hit a 32-year low last year as farmers turned away from the enterprise. In 2017, farmers planted 3,241 ha of forestry and non-farmers 2,294. If the trend of the past two years continues, non-farmers will plant more forestry than farmers this year.
The Department previously advised caution on the breakdown between the two categories, saying that non-farmers include retired farmers and members of farming families. However, concerns have grown in regions with faster afforestation over competition for land between local farmers and outside investors.
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Mid-year forestry report shows decline in planting
The total amount of afforestation payments declined over the past two years as new plantings slowed down, and the share paid to farmers fell even faster.
In 2015, €94m was paid to farmers and €5m to non-farmers in forestry grants and premiums.
In 2016, payments to non-farmers doubled to over €10m, while those to farmers fell to €88m.
Last year, non-farmers again collected an increased amount of €11m, while payments to farmers continued on the same downward trend and amounted to €82m.
Grants are paid to assist the establishment of new plantations while premiums are paid to support forestry for up to 15 years. Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed compiled the figures in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Eamon Scanlon from Sligo-Leitrim, the area with the fastest increase in new plantations.
32-year low
The changes in payments reflects those in afforestation, which hit a 32-year low last year as farmers turned away from the enterprise. In 2017, farmers planted 3,241 ha of forestry and non-farmers 2,294. If the trend of the past two years continues, non-farmers will plant more forestry than farmers this year.
The Department previously advised caution on the breakdown between the two categories, saying that non-farmers include retired farmers and members of farming families. However, concerns have grown in regions with faster afforestation over competition for land between local farmers and outside investors.
Read more
Matchmaking scheme targets €1,000/ha corporate support for native woodlands
New information on forest estate
Mid-year forestry report shows decline in planting
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