Forestry budget again €110m

Budget provision for forestry, horticulture, and greyhound sectors

The forestry sector receives the largest share of the public capital programme expenditure of the department and the minister has again provided €110m for this in 2015.

Minister of state Tom Hayes welcomed the funding, which encompasses the provision of grants for the establishment of new forestry (afforestation) programme and forest road scheme. This level of funding will allow for an afforestation programme of 7,000 hectares in 2015 and 120km of forest roads.

* Bord na gCon: €13.6m

The Government will continue to support the greyhound racing industry through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund.

* Commercial Horticulture Sector: €7.2m

A provision of €4.2m has been provided to fund capital investments in the horticulture sector as well as €3m funding toward the Food and Horticulture Promotion Fund.

* Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health: €81.5m

A provision of €81.5m for food safety, animal and plant health, including €35m for TB and Bruscellosis eradication.

* Organic Farming Scheme: €6m

The new Organic Farming Scheme will also be launched in 2015, with significantly increased rates of aid and total funding of €6m. The changes aim to target support towards those operators who intend producing products which are currently in deficit and achieve progress in respect of the Government target of increasing the utilisable agricultural area under organic production to 5%.