Forestry: beneficial to the landowner and the environment

GOVERNMENT policy is to increase the Afforestation levels and to this end very attractive grants and tax free premia are available to both farmers and non-farmers. Establishment costs of forestry are 100% covered and as a result there is no cost to the landowner apart from the capital cost of the land. A landowner can benefit from annual premium rates from €206 to €248 per acre, retain full single farm payments and retain 100% ownership of the land and trees. Grants for harvest road construction and special construction works ie. bridges etc. are also available. Timber sales are buoyant. The substantial returns from thinning’s and clear-fells are also tax free. This is a further beneficial advantage and very significant economic benefit.

Over 13,000 Irish farmers received the forestry payment in 2015 with an average payment of €16,000. The decision to plant is a voluntary one for the landowner. 12,000 people approx. are employed both directly and indirectly in forestry and the majority are rurally based. This is an important source of income for rural communities. The Afforestation scheme is managed by the Forest Service and only applications which receive prior written approval can proceed to plant. All new forests must be established in compliance with national and EU legislation and the departments requirements as set out in the Forestry Standards Manuel (Nov 2015).

Forestry is good for the environment and all work undertaken must comply with strict rules and regulations and comply with environmental guidelines. It has a role in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration, and by replacing fossil fuels with a renewable energy source. Species diversification is encouraged and just 52% of the national forest state includes Sitka spruce. All new planting has buffer zones of broadleaves and setback distances from buildings, roads, and streams. Once forests have been clear-felled there is an obligation on the land owner to replant. At present this is not grand aided but serious consideration should be given to provide grant aid for this operation.

Forestry as an alternative land use is a viable economic option by providing alternative source of income and ensuring a pension fund into the future.