The national farm forestry chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Padraic Stapleton, has expressed disappointment with the new Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme, describing it as “another missed opportunity”. Launched by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) last week, the scheme offers financial support of up to €4,000/ha to forest owners looking to reforest “for a different purpose”.
The scheme comprises three distinct elements: reforestation for Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), reforestation for native forests, and reforestation for biodiversity and water. Stapleton indicated that the IFA intends to reach out to Minister of State for land use and biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, to request a meeting to address their concerns regarding the scheme. He emphasized that changes are crucial to make the scheme more appealing to forest owners.
Expressing his disappointment with the specifics of the new Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme, Stapleton remarked, “This is another missed opportunity by the Department of Agriculture.” He criticized the scheme, particularly for commercial forests, where he noted a setback would apply and the area is not covered by the initiative.
Stapleton also raised concerns about the premium payments, which range from €150/ha to €650/ha per year for a seven-year duration, stating that the period is too short and should be extended.
Forest owners seeking to participate in the Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme must either hold or have applied for a felling licence to clearfell their forest by the end of 2027, according to the DAFM. The grant and premium rates available under the scheme are as follows:
– Reforestation for CCF: €1,800 fixed grant per hectare, €150 premium
– Reforestation for native forests (high ecological priority area): €4,000 fixed grant per hectare, €650 premium
– Reforestation for native forests (all other sites): €2,225 fixed grant per hectare, €500 premium
– Reforestation for biodiversity and water: €2,500 fixed grant per hectare, €350 premium
(Source: DAFM)
The grant will be disbursed in two instalments, with 75% payable immediately after replanting upon submission of all necessary documentation. The remaining 25% will be paid four years after replanting. Applicants can choose multiple elements but cannot mix different elements within the same plot. Each proposed plot must relate to a single element, with a maximum area per application set at 12ha. Applications for reforestation for biodiversity and water are limited to a maximum of 5 ha per application, with one application permitted per forest owner annually.
This scheme has sparked a debate within the forestry community, with concerns raised about its effectiveness and appeal to forest owners. The IFA’s stance reflects a broader sentiment among stakeholders who believe that significant revisions are required to make the scheme more attractive and beneficial for all parties involved. As discussions continue, the future of forestry initiatives in Ireland remains a topic of critical importance, with stakeholders advocating for sustainable and impactful measures to address climate change and biodiversity conservation.
