Surge in farm forest applications

SOURCES in the Department of Agriculture have confirmed that a vibrant forestry planting programme continues despite rising funding requirements to pay premium commitments.

About 120 million has been allocated to forestry for this year, to provide for new planting of about 7,000 hectares (5% up on 2009), while also servicing existing premium commitments.

Evidence of the continued interest in forestry is the increase to date in 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 by more than 26% in the number of applications for approval to plant (from 649 to more than 800).