Farmers could be financially rewarded for planting trees on land under new forestry initiative

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is looking at ways to radically increase the amount of afforestation in the country to help Ireland's climate targets

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has also stressed the importance of afforestation and said the amount of land planted each year must dramatically increase to meet the climate targets set down. File picture: Julien Behal Photography/PA Wire

The Agriculture Minister is looking at ways to financially encourage all farmers to plant trees on some of their land as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Charlie McConalogue said there was "still a long way to go" to change the mindset so farmers see forestry as another way of using their land alongside beef, dairy or tillage.