IFA: Planting rate must increase by 320% to meet forest cover target

THE Government has been urged to allocate additional funding to the forestry programme if it is genuine about achieving targets.

According to the Irish Farmers’ Association, the annual planting rate needs to increase by 320% if the target of 17% forest cover by 2030 outlined in the Renewed Programme for Government is to be achieved.

IFA Farm Forestry chairman Pat Hennessy said an annual afforestation rate of 20,000 hectares is required if the target is to be reached in the next 20 years.