IFA welcomes forestry decision

Ireland: The IFA has welcomed an announcement by Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh that approvals in the forestry premium and grant scheme have resumed.

Farm Forestry chairman, Pat Lehane welcomed the announcement which followed a 31% increase in the 2004 forestry allocation as indicated by the recently published Book of Estimates.

Mr Lehane said due to lack of Government funding for this year’s forestry programme no farmer has received planting approval since last June.