Forestry chief welcomes scheme

THE Irish Forest Industry Chain (IFIC) has welcomed the announcement by Forestry Minister Mary Wallace of a new Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS).

IFIC chairman George McCarthy said the new FEPS finally removes the barrier to forest planting by farmers participating in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS).

“The additional premium of up to €200 for five years on every hectare of forestry planted under the new scheme on REPS farms will give renewed impetus to the forestry planting programme.