The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) forestry chair, Padraic Stapleton, has raised concerns about the inadequacy of the €2,000 site clearance grant for farmers affected by ash dieback. Stapleton highlighted that the grant falls short of covering the actual costs incurred by farmers in removing the ash from their affected sites. He emphasized that the terms of the review explicitly stated that the state would bear the expenses of ash removal and that any residual value in the ash should remain with the grower. However, Stapleton noted that the current base price of €2,000 is insufficient to meet the actual costs involved.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has committed to conducting a review of the site clearance costs for farmers impacted by ash dieback. Stapleton expressed skepticism about the adequacy of the review process, stating that the evidence provided by the ash dieback taskforce indicates that the costs of clearance far exceed the €2,000 grant. He voiced concerns that the current approach may not fully cover the removal costs incurred by farmers, raising questions about the effectiveness of the support provided.
Stapleton, who is a member of the ash dieback taskforce, highlighted the growing concern that the escalating costs of clearances may disproportionately benefit contractors rather than the affected farmers. He emphasized that the current grant of €2,000 is insufficient to cover the expenses, with any value in the ash being directed towards forestry companies and their contractors for the removal process. Stapleton also noted that in some cases, the ex-gratia payment of €5,000 for past inaction will also need to be allocated towards covering the removal costs.
Expressing urgency in addressing the challenges faced by farmers impacted by ash dieback, Stapleton called on the government to provide immediate support to mitigate the situation before it worsens. He emphasized the need for prompt action in clearing the affected timber from the sites and transporting it to designated locations. Stapleton warned that delays in finding a suitable solution could further exacerbate the issue, urging swift intervention to address the pressing needs of affected farmers.
In conclusion, Stapleton appealed to the Minister for Agriculture to prioritize the assistance required by farmers impacted by ash dieback. He stressed the importance of swift action in addressing the clearance of timber from affected sites, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Stapleton emphasized the need for a proactive approach to support affected farmers and ensure that the costs of removal are adequately covered to alleviate the burden on those impacted by the disease.
