The Limerick and Tipperary Woodland Owners (LTWO) have made a strong plea for the suspension of the ash dieback scheme until a new government is established. This call to action comes in the wake of a recent gathering of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s (DAFM) ash dieback taskforce in Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Concerns were raised when it was disclosed that the size of the original ash plantation would be taken into account when determining eligibility for replanting grants, a move which LTWO has labeled as “unworkable”. Furthermore, the group highlighted that all future expenses related to diseased trees will be solely the responsibility of the woodland owner, with the additional caveat that trees cannot be removed without prior permission from the department.
Simon White, the Chair of LTWO and a member of the taskforce, expressed disappointment that despite promises made by two major political parties to enhance the ash dieback scheme in their election manifestos, little progress has been evident. With Senator Pippa Hackett retaining her position as Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity until the formation of a new government, White emphasized the futility of DAFM persisting with a policy that is perceived as unjust towards farmers. LTWO is optimistic that the upcoming group meeting on March 3, 2025, will yield more fruitful discussions, urging the incoming ministers and DAFM officials to heed the feedback provided during these sessions. The organization warned that Ireland’s afforestation goals will remain unmet unless the government can rebuild trust among current and prospective woodland owners in its ability to protect our forests.
The taskforce’s primary objective is to expedite the implementation of the Ash Dieback Action Plan, with a schedule of four meetings annually over a three-year period. Currently, under the scheme’s jurisdiction, farmers are allotted a 12-month window to finalize site clearances from the date of their approval in the program. Additionally, a total timeframe of 18 months is permitted from the approval date for replanting, extending to two years in cases involving the clear-felling of a commercial plantation.
