New forestry programme in the final stages of development

Finalised grants and premium rates in the new programme are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The backlog in licence applications continues to drop, with faster turnaround times for new applicants, according to Ms Hackett.

A new forestry programme for 2023 to 2027 is in the final stages of development, Minister of State Pippa Hackett has confirmed.

Ms Hackett said that the Department of Agriculture is "engaging intensively" with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to finalise grant and premium rates for the new programme, subject to state aid approval from the European Commission.