Scale of non-farmer planting under previous forestry programme 'a serious concern'

"It cannot be planting at any cost to meet afforestation targets."

It is hoped that increased incentives will mean that farmers will be the primary beneficiaries of the new grants and premiums under the new programme.

The scale of non-farmer planting under the previous forestry programme is "a serious concern" for rural communities, the Irish Farmers' Association has said.

IFA farm forestry chair Jason Fleming met with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue this week to raise a number of issues.