Reduction of 8% in forestry premiums unacceptable, says IFA
IFA Farm Forestry chairman Pat Hennessy said the Government is reneging on its commitments to farmers, who planted trees on assurances that the premiums were guaranteed for 20 years.
“Farmers cannot accept a cut to forest premiums. Forestry is different from other agricultural activity. It is a permanent land use conversion — once a farmer plants, he is legally obliged to replant. The forest premiums must be protected,” he said