There is a need for information to be provided to farmers on the status of the new forestry programme, Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) national farm forestry chair Jason Fleming has said.
"This delay has taken a toll, as farmers have been awaiting clarity around the programme since November 2022," he said.
“Given the current challenges facing the forestry sector and the need to meet afforestation targets, it's hard to believe that a full programme is still not in place,” he said.
The afforestation measures under the new forestry programme were officially granted state aid approval by the European Commission last week.
Concerns
The IFA has outlined a number of concerns with the new programme, which include:
The payment for eco system services (PES) should be amended to pay farmers to manage land set aside for biodiversity enhancement and broadleaves. The PES rate should reflect the income foregone from timber production and must be extended beyond the proposed seven years. The farmer premium differential needs to be improved, with a higher premium rate paid to farmers in recognition of the wider rural development benefits they provide by planting. Farmer premium rates should be index linked and the increased rate paid to existing forest owners. A proportionate regulatory framework that reflects the size and type of operation, that guarantees decisions within the legally required four-month time frame, needs to be urgently introduced. All infected ash woodland must be eligible for a 100% reconstitution grant, a premium paid for 20 years on the replanted land and compensation for the financial loss incurred. The replanting obligation is a key barrier to farmers' participation in forestry and should be reviewed. Timeline
“Last week, the Minister [for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue] announced the [European] Commission's approval of €308m for the afforestation scheme, a portion of the €1.3bn funding for the overall forestry programme.
"There is a need for the Government to provide an update on the progress of the remaining measures within the programme and a timeline expected for decisions,” said Fleming.
There is a need for information to be provided to farmers on the status of the new forestry programme, Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) national farm forestry chair Jason Fleming has said.
"This delay has taken a toll, as farmers have been awaiting clarity around the programme since November 2022," he said.
“Given the current challenges facing the forestry sector and the need to meet afforestation targets, it's hard to believe that a full programme is still not in place,” he said.
The afforestation measures under the new forestry programme were officially granted state aid approval by the European Commission last week.
Concerns
The IFA has outlined a number of concerns with the new programme, which include:
The payment for eco system services (PES) should be amended to pay farmers to manage land set aside for biodiversity enhancement and broadleaves. The PES rate should reflect the income foregone from timber production and must be extended beyond the proposed seven years. The farmer premium differential needs to be improved, with a higher premium rate paid to farmers in recognition of the wider rural development benefits they provide by planting. Farmer premium rates should be index linked and the increased rate paid to existing forest owners. A proportionate regulatory framework that reflects the size and type of operation, that guarantees decisions within the legally required four-month time frame, needs to be urgently introduced. All infected ash woodland must be eligible for a 100% reconstitution grant, a premium paid for 20 years on the replanted land and compensation for the financial loss incurred. The replanting obligation is a key barrier to farmers' participation in forestry and should be reviewed. Timeline
“Last week, the Minister [for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue] announced the [European] Commission's approval of €308m for the afforestation scheme, a portion of the €1.3bn funding for the overall forestry programme.
"There is a need for the Government to provide an update on the progress of the remaining measures within the programme and a timeline expected for decisions,” said Fleming.
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