Foresters seek more support as ‘grim’ statistics show slump in incentive payments

Government needs to boost forestry incentives to meet planting and climate change targets, the industry has warned, after official figures showed a sharp decline in payments.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures this week showed that total payments for tree-planting fell more than 40 per cent to €62 million last year from €108 million in 2010.

Mark McAuley, director of Forestry Industries Ireland, said the “grim” results showed the continuing failure of the Government’s policy to plant new woodland, needed to aid the fight against climate change and guarantee future timber supplies.

“What we need to see now is a clear decision to significantly increase the financial incentives under the new forestry schemes due at the end of this year,” Mr McAuley said.

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He argued that declining tree-planting contradicted aims to diversify farming and step up the battle against climate change.

The figures were the first the CSO has published detailing forestry scheme payments, which are meant to encourage landowners to plant timber, a key building material. The payments, which are made by the Department of Agriculture, are meant to back the planting and maintenance of new forest.

Grants cover 100 per cent of the total set-up costs: the State then pays the landowner an annual premium for every hectare planted.

Co Cork accounted for 13.2 per cent of the afforestation payments, making it the biggest beneficiary. Co Kerry followed with 8.2 per cent, Co Clare was third on 7.7 per cent and Co Roscommon was next on 5.9 per cent.

Mr McAuley said the CSO figures caused industry figures “grave concern”. He said it was difficult to understand how the Government could let a lack of support for forestry undermine its core climate change policy.

He argued that it was up to senior Ministers and party leaders to ensure the department delivered a revitalised forestry programme capable of delivering the thousands of hectares needed to meet carbon targets.