Forestry Support package

Announcing €1.3 billion package for new Forestry Supports

Funds to be delivered through new Forestry Programme.
Premiums for planting trees to be increased by between 46% and 66% and extended to 20 years for farmers

On the 3rd November, Minister Pippa Hackett announced a proposed investment by the Government of €1.3 billion in Irish forestry. The funding will be for the next national Forestry Programme and represents the largest ever investment by an Irish Government in tree-planting. The programme will now be the subject of state-aid approval by the European Commission.

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD and Minister Hackett announced a proposed investment by the Government of €1.3 billion in Irish forestry. The announcement was marked by the Taoiseach and Minister Hackett as they plant some native trees at Teagasc Oakpark Carlow.

Minister Hackett said she is ‘thrilled to have secured a package of €1.318 billion for forestry. This will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland. It comes at an appropriate time, given the urgency of taking climate mitigation measures. Planting trees is one of the most effective methods of tackling climate change as well as contributing to improved biodiversity and water quality. One of my main aims is to re-engage farmers in afforestation. I’m delighted therefore to be proposing a new 20-year premium term exclusively for farmers, as well as introducing a new small-scale native woodland scheme which will allow farmers to plant up to 1 hectare of native woodland on farmland and along watercourses outside of the forestry licensing process’.

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New Afforestation Rates for FP23-27