Since opening for applications for financial approval under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme in mid-September 2015, applications have been received in respect of over 7,000ha (17,000ha) of land.
This is approximately equivalent to the same period in 2014/15 latest figures from the Department of Agriculture show.
However, the Department figures also show that technical afforestation approvals from January 1 to end April 2016 at 4,483ha is down from 5,135ha for the equivalent period in 2015.
The new Programme for Government agreed between Fine Gael and a host of independents targets an increase in planting each year over the lifetime of the programme, commencing with 6,000ha of new forests in year one, increasing to 8,290 ha in 2020.
A review of the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 will take place in 2017 and will consider participation rates, climate change, environmental impact, rural communities and land use policy.
Recently IFA Farm Forestry Chairman, Michael Fleming described the latest figures emerging in regard to forestry planting as ‘worrying’.
He has voiced concern about the falling afforestation figures, following the publication of latest Forest Service report that shows area established down 30% on this time last year.
He said this is worrying given the importance of forests and afforestation in our national climate change strategy.
The Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020 has an afforestation and woodland creation objective to establish 6,600 hectares in 2016.
Based on the figures produced by the Forest Service for February, the planting programme could be less than 4,500 hectares this year if the trend continues.
A recent report identified 1.08m hectares of land currently used for agriculture that it says would be ‘better suited’ to forestry.
Minister of State for Forestry, Tom Hayes launched the report entitled Land Availability for Afforestation, – Exploring opportunities for expanding Ireland’s forest resource.
Of the 1.08m hectares classified as ‘limited agricultural use’, beef farming accounts for 49% of the farming practices that take place on these lands.
Dairy farming makes up 18% and sheep farming accounts for 27% of the practices on the 1.08m hectares that, according to the report, would be better suited to forestry.
Forestry programme
In 2014 a new forestry programme was announced by the Department of Agriculture to cover the preiod to 2020.
The new programme consisted of 11 separate measures and involved total new spending of €262 million and a further €220 million in future commitments from 2020, mostly in relation to premium payments.
The objective of the programme is to support the planting of over 43,000 hectares of new forests which will make an important contribution towards meeting climate emission targets through carbon sequestration and fossil fuel replacement.
The new premiums are now 20% higher than those in the previous programme when compared year on year. Establishment grants have increased by 5% across the board and roads will now be supported at a rate of €40 per linear metre representing a 14% increase over the previous rate.
Support is also available for the construction of up to 690 kilometres of new roads to provide the necessary infrastructure for greater timber mobilisation as well as improving overall access for thinning and other management operations. An important feature of the new programme is the €7 million of funding that is being made available to protect and enhance Irish native woodlands.
