It is estimated that planting under the afforestation programme for 2020 will be approximately 2,500ha, the lowest rate of private planting in 36 years, the IFA has said.

“The forestry sector is in a state of emergency because of the licensing crisis, with farmers facing delays of up to two years due to the two-tiered system introduced by the Department,” IFA farm forestry chair Vincent Nally has said.

“Applications, which were previously zero-cost, are now costing farmers a minimum of €1,500 where a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) is required.”

Job losses

The IFA has said the licensing cost is unsustainable and has enormous financial implications for farmers, with many forced into a non-thinning policy. Nally continued: “The majority of farm forests cannot justify the cost of a NIS and are being actively disadvantaged and discriminated against by the Department’s policy. “We have heard in recent days the impact the licensing crisis is having on the wider sector and the potential job losses that are predicted due to the shortage in timber supply,” he said.

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