More than one in every 10 acres in Ireland is under forestry, according to the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture.
Up to 10.5% or 731,650ha of land growing trees by the end of 2016, with Ireland reaching its highest level of afforestation in the last 350 years, according to Forest Statistics - Ireland 2017, published last Friday.
The number of non-farmers planting forestry has grown sharply in recent years, driven by government policy.
New forestry plantings fell by 48% between 1997 and 2017 to 5,536ha planted in 2017.
In an attempt to combat the decrease in planting, the government allowed non-farmers to apply for the same rate of forestry premia as farmers.
As a result, the number of non-farmers in receipt of forestry premia jumped by 35%. The average forestry parcel size for non-farmers almost doubled in two years, from 3.6ha in 2014 to 6.6ha in 2016.
The growth in non-farmer involvement in forestry has divided opinion. Some see the growth as a positive response to a government incentive. Others believe it can have a detrimental impact on local communities, and push land prices out of reach for local farmers.
In Co Leitrim, the number of non-farmer plantings jumped from a zero base in 2011 to 195 in 2016.
Neighbouring Co Longford saw non-farmer plantings rise from none in 2011 to 128 in 2016.
Local councillors in Leitrim unanimously backed a move earlier this month to review local planning permissions for forestry in response to concerns regarding non-farmer planting.
Overall, however, farmers still owned 83% of all afforested private land in 2016. Over 50% of land in receipt of forestry premiums was owned by people over 60, indicating that planting trees is a popular option for farmers as they age.
In 2016, 34% of harvested roundwood was used for energy generation.Cork had highest level of afforestation with 608ha in 2016.33% jump in forestry parcels changing hands to 543 in 2016.People employed in wood and wood products fell from 5,530 in 2011 to 4,000 in 2016.Overall forestry expenditure by the Department decreased from €124,819m in 2007 to €103,826m in 2016. Read more
One in every 10 acres of land in Ireland is under forestry
Coillte has 'duty of care' for its farm partners
More than one in every 10 acres in Ireland is under forestry, according to the latest figures from the Department of Agriculture.
Up to 10.5% or 731,650ha of land growing trees by the end of 2016, with Ireland reaching its highest level of afforestation in the last 350 years, according to Forest Statistics - Ireland 2017, published last Friday.
The number of non-farmers planting forestry has grown sharply in recent years, driven by government policy.
New forestry plantings fell by 48% between 1997 and 2017 to 5,536ha planted in 2017.
In an attempt to combat the decrease in planting, the government allowed non-farmers to apply for the same rate of forestry premia as farmers.
As a result, the number of non-farmers in receipt of forestry premia jumped by 35%. The average forestry parcel size for non-farmers almost doubled in two years, from 3.6ha in 2014 to 6.6ha in 2016.
The growth in non-farmer involvement in forestry has divided opinion. Some see the growth as a positive response to a government incentive. Others believe it can have a detrimental impact on local communities, and push land prices out of reach for local farmers.
In Co Leitrim, the number of non-farmer plantings jumped from a zero base in 2011 to 195 in 2016.
Neighbouring Co Longford saw non-farmer plantings rise from none in 2011 to 128 in 2016.
Local councillors in Leitrim unanimously backed a move earlier this month to review local planning permissions for forestry in response to concerns regarding non-farmer planting.
Overall, however, farmers still owned 83% of all afforested private land in 2016. Over 50% of land in receipt of forestry premiums was owned by people over 60, indicating that planting trees is a popular option for farmers as they age.
In 2016, 34% of harvested roundwood was used for energy generation.Cork had highest level of afforestation with 608ha in 2016.33% jump in forestry parcels changing hands to 543 in 2016.People employed in wood and wood products fell from 5,530 in 2011 to 4,000 in 2016.Overall forestry expenditure by the Department decreased from €124,819m in 2007 to €103,826m in 2016. Read more
One in every 10 acres of land in Ireland is under forestry
Coillte has 'duty of care' for its farm partners
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