A total of 4,761 hectares have been given the green light by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for planting under the Afforestation Scheme and the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS). The most recent DAFM Forestry Licensing Dashboard reveals that 813 hectares have already been planted and compensated for this year up to Friday, July 12. This includes 97 hectares planted so far this month, with an additional five hectares planted just last week.
In total, the DAFM has issued 350 afforestation licenses allowing for the planting of 3,051 hectares since the launch of the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in September 2023, as per the latest dashboard data. Moreover, 173 afforestation licenses for 1,394 hectares of new forestry that were previously approved under the old forestry program have now been given the go-ahead under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Additionally, the DAFM has approved 289 NTAS applications since its inception under the new program.
The Social, Economic Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA), a private sector group dedicated to promoting the forestry industry in Ireland, has expressed concern over the sluggish pace of planting activity this year. SEEFA highlighted that only 5 hectares were planted last week, emphasizing that even though it is not the typical planting season, this figure is notably low compared to previous years. SEEFA noted that July averaged 71 hectares planted per week in 2023 and 51 hectares in 2022. The group pointed out that despite the relatively wet and mild spring and summer, an opportunity to significantly boost planting for the year has been missed, attributing the decline in planting to the dwindling number of available licenses.
The latest dashboard statistics indicate that the DAFM has received a total of 377 valid applications for afforestation so far this year, while a total of 276 licenses have been issued, including eight licenses issued just last week. The DAFM’s Forestry Licensing Plan for 2024 states that it has the capacity to issue enough licenses this year to plant 8,000 hectares. However, in order to meet the target set in the Climate Action Plan, applications would need to be around 1,000 annually.
Recently, Fine Gael TD Richard Bruton raised a parliamentary question to Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, inquiring about the projected uptake of the new afforestation scheme up to 2030. Minister McConalogue emphasized that afforestation is a voluntary land use decision for landowners and highlighted the importance of instilling confidence among landowners regarding the benefits of forestry to increase afforestation rates. To encourage uptake, the government has been actively promoting the new forestry options and enhanced payments available through an extensive media campaign across various communication channels. Additionally, funding has been allocated to 42 stakeholder projects aimed at promoting the forestry program through diverse approaches to engage with the wider community and underscore the multiple societal benefits of forests, including economic, social, and environmental aspects.
