Forestry sector responds positively to clear-felling tax break

Forestry sector responses to the budget have been largely positive, both for the sector’s overall €113.8m allocation and for targeted tax reliefs.

Forestry clear-felling income is to be tax-free as the “high earners restriction” of €80,000 for active foresters and farmers has been ended.

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, said: “Forestry plays a huge role environmentally, economically, and socially in rural areas; and I believe the benefits of this change will be felt long into the future.”