Forestry scheme gets thumbs up

THE establishment of a Forestry Environmental Protection Scheme (FEPS) to encourage high nature-value forestry on farms which participate in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) was welcomed yesterday.

Forestry Minister Mary Wallace earlier announced that an additional premium of €200 per hectare for five years will be available to farmers in REPS who join the FEPS and plant part of their land in accordance with the provisions for forestry laid down in the new scheme.

She said FEPS will open up new land to forestry and highlight the environmental benefits.

SWS Forestry Services said that with some 55,000 farmers in REPS, the new FEPS scheme could significantly increase the land available to forestry. In 2007, the pilot scheme will grant aid the establishment of 2,750 hectares of high nature-value forestry.

Mike Connelly, SWS Forester, said the FEPS provides a real opportunity for farmers in REPS or those considering entering REPS to benefit from the tax-free double FEPS and forestry premiums.

The 15% increase in annual forestry premiums makes forestry a more attractive option than ever.

It is envisaged that the new FEPS scheme will bring land into forestry that previously would not have been considered.

IFA Farm Forestry committee chairman John Jackson said the payment will compensate farmers for the REPS payments that they would normally forgo when transferring REPS land into forestry.

He advised farmers to contact their foresters.