Minister happy with reduced forestry package

DESPITE cutbacks, the EU forestry aid package agreed last week by the Council of Agriculture Ministers provides a new platform to build on the success of Ireland’s forestry sector into the next decade, said John Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food with responsibility for Forestry.

He said Ireland was almost alone among the Member States in consistently and vigorously arguing against the proposals to reduce forestry aid.

It had been proposed to cut planting grants from 100% to 40% of costs, the farmer-rate premium from a maximum of €725 to €500, and the premium payment period from 20 years for farmers, and 15 years for non-farmers, to just 10 years.