Farmers putting forestry on hold

FARMERS are holding off on forestry planting until the Government shows a commitment to introduce changes to the Afforestation programme,

According to IFA forestry chairman Pat Collins, changes are needed including the removal of restrictions on planting productive marginal land and paying farmers a premium on all land they are obliged to set aside for environmental enhancement.

The latest figures from the Forest Service show that planting is down 20pc on this time last year. There is a budget and target to plant 7,140 hectares in 2017, however, Mr Collins said based on current figures, the planting programme could be as low as 5,200 hectares.

This is nearly 2,000 hectares or 25pc below target.

Mr Collins said Minister Andrew Doyle has an opportunity as part of the mid-term review process to introduce changes to the programme that would have a positive impact on planting and reverse the downward trend.

“This level of planting would represent a 60-year low, at a time when the demands for woodbased products are projected to increase significantly in the coming decades. Despite the accelerating downward trend, the minister still refuses to remove restrictions on planting productive marginal land and increase the land available to the programme.

“I know of plenty of farmers who want to plant but are excluded from the programme. I am very disappointed that the mid-term review draft proposals are not addressing the substantive issues of concern to farmers.” He urged the minister to take advantage of the review to bring in changes.