Forestry grants likely to increase as use of wood biomass grows

GRANT supports for forestry are likely to increase in the coming years as wood biomass has been identified as having a significant role to play in helping Ireland meet its renewable energy targets, according to Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith.

Some €116 million was allocated to forestry this year. The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme combines 100% grants for planting and attractive premiums payable for 20 years for farmers, said Minister Smith in reply to a Dáil question tabled by Labour’s agriculture spokesperson Seán Sherlock.

The Cork East-based TD asked the minister to outline any initiatives being taken to promote the emerging wood energy sector, given the considerable opportunity for import substitution.

Mr Smith said: “Wood fuel from Irish forests is a sustainable, renewable, carbon-neutral and indigenous source of energy and has significant potential to replace imported carbon-emitting fossil fuels.

“Indeed, wood biomass is already making a significant contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy targets.

“My department operates a number of initiatives to promote farmer participation in forestry and to realise the opportunities presented by the emerging wood energy sector. The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme combines 100% grants for planting and attractive premiums payable for 20 years for farmers. My department has already paid out over €70 million this year in annual forestry premiums to private forest owners, most of whom are farmers, and a further €20m in planting grants.”

Ireland has gone from planting 6,648 hectares of new grant-supported forestry land in 2009 up to planting 7,000 hectares this year. The national target is to plant 10,000 hectares per year.