Forest scheme target is 43,000 hectares of new planting
Nuala Ni Fhlatharta, Head of the Teagasc Forestry Development Department, said, “With 15 annual premium payments of over €510 per hectare for conifers and approximately €600 per hectare for broadleaves, I would strongly recommend that landowners consider the potential that this offers.
“In addition to the annual premium, it will be possible for most farmers to hold on to their Basic Payments.
“In most cases, all the costs associated with the establishment of the crop in the early years are covered by an afforestation grant.”
Frances McHugh, Teagasc’s Forestry Adviser in the south east said: “Many of the forest owners who planted in the past decades are now reaping the benefits of their forests with income from timber sales. In addition to the returns from thinning and clear-felling, a forest enterprise on a farm is an ideal way for landowners to grow their own fuel and timber supply for the future.
“New and expanding markets including wood energy have provided new opportunities for local sales.
“A well planned forest can also benefit the countryside visually and can provide recreational opportunities on the farm.”
The objective of the new forestry programme is to support planting of over 43,000 hectares of new forests, as well as support for construction of up to 690 kilometres of new forest roads.
Another important feature of the new programme is substantial funding towards protecting and enhancing Irish native woodlands.
Under the Native Woodlands Conservation Scheme, almost 2,000 hectares of these forests will be eligible for support.
