The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has granted 522 licenses under the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme so far this year, covering 1,900ha. The current Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 was established last year and follows on from the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback) 2020, and the Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback 2023. Ash forest owners are eligible to receive the additional Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) of €5,000/ha when their sites have been cleared and they have carried out replanting, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme.
Since the scheme opened, there has been 726 licenses issued and 2,740ha covered, according to the latest forestry licensing dashboard. The dashboard also shows that under the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS), 118 licenses have been issued so far this year, covering 557ha. A further two licenses were issued under the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme, bringing the total number of licenses this year to six, accounting for 45ha.
There was a slight increase in planting and afforestation licensing, with 13 more licenses issued last week, bringing the total number of licenses issued for the year to 293, which accounts for 2,423ha. The Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) said that the number afforestation licenses is “far from what is needed”. “Before last week, to reach 8,000ha of planting, we would need to average over 304ha per week for the rest of the year, whereas last week, we managed just 40. “Similarly, afforestation licences would need to average 240ha per week, and last week barely managed 40% of that,” SEEFA stated.
SEEFA also described the progress last week on road construction and felling as “subpar”. A total of 638 private felling licenses and 485 Coillte felling licenses were issued so far in 2024. The dashboard also shows that there has been 37km of forestry roads constructed so far this this year.
In the realm of forestry, the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme has been a significant focus for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) this year. With 522 licenses granted and 1,900ha covered, the scheme has made notable strides in addressing the impact of Ash Dieback on forested areas. The additional Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) of €5,000/ha serves as an incentive for ash forest owners to clear affected sites and carry out replanting efforts in line with the scheme’s requirements.
The forestry licensing dashboard also sheds light on other initiatives within the sector, such as the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) and the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. While progress has been made in issuing licenses for afforestation and woodland conservation, the Social, Economic and Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA) has raised concerns about the pace of afforestation activities. SEEFA highlighted the need for a more robust approach to meet the target of 8,000ha of planting, emphasizing the importance of consistent licensing rates.
Moreover, SEEFA’s critique extended to the construction of forestry roads and felling operations, labeling the recent progress as “subpar.” The issuance of private and Coillte felling licenses, along with the construction of 37km of forestry roads, reflects ongoing efforts to manage and enhance Ireland’s forestry landscape. As the forestry sector navigates challenges related to disease outbreaks and sustainability, stakeholders continue to advocate for proactive measures to safeguard and expand the country’s woodland resources.
