Forest planting benefits

CHANGES to the Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS) were announced yesterday by Minister of State Mary Wallace, who described them as a major boost to the planting programme.

Under the new terms, a landowner will receive a FEPS premium of €200 for each hectare of woodland planted, regardless of farm size, subject to a minimum of eight hectares.

For owners of farms of 30 hectares and less, the minimum size has been reduced to five hectares, attracting a corresponding FEPS premium of €150 per hectare for plantations between five and eight hectares in size.