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OVER 30 YEARS OF SOLID GROWTH

OVER 30 YEARS OF SOLID GROWTH

FORESTRY AND TIMBER YEARBOOK 2016

grants and premium paymentsfor afforestation and supportmeasures

the 2016 forestry programme is likely to receive a majorboost due to the removal of forestry from the 'high Incomeearners restriction’ (hIer) category. the removal of forestryfrom the heIr has effectively restored tax-free status forforestry which it enjoyed up to 2007.

In addition, funding of €113.8m will be made available underfor the Forestry programme 2014-2020 as announced inbudget 2016. As funding for premium payments continues tofall there is more available for two key areas of theprogramme: afforestation and roading.

the afforestation programme of 6,156 ha achieved in 2014was the lowest since 1985, but evidence so far indicates thatthis will be surpassed in 2015 and 2016 and looks likely tomatch forecasts in the Forestry programme (table 1).minister hayes maintained during the announcement ofbudget 2016 that the current funding application will supporta planting programme of approximately 7000ha which ismodest when compared to CoFord’s proposed targets.the department’s advisory body recommends an annualminimum afforestation programme of 15,000ha to achieve aviable forestry, wood energy and forest products industry andto maximise the benefits of forestry in climate changemitigation.

however, a 7,000-ha afforestation programme would thehighest achieved since 2010 and second highest for almost adecade.

51

donal magner

The removal of forestry from theHEIR has effectively restored tax-free status for forestry which itenjoyed up to 2007.

Funding of€113.8m will bemade availableunder for the

Forestryprogramme

2014-2020 asannounced inbudget 2016.

”

“

FORESTRY AND TIMBER YEARBOOK 2016

52

20155,700

50010

1006,310

20166,30050020200

7,020

20176,47550025500

7,500

20186,70050040500

7,740

20196,92550050

1,0008,475

20207,45050050

1,0009,000

SchemeAfforestation Native woodlandAgroforestryEnergy/fibreTOTAL

Table 1: Planting targets (ha) for afforestation in Forestry Programme 2015-2020

Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2014)

TOTAL39,5503,000195

3,30046,045

readers will be familiar with the main thrust of the Forestryprogramme 2014-2020 which provides increases in forestgrants and premium payments over the previous pro-gramme, but the funding period has been reduced from 20to 15 years. Also there is no differentiation between farm-ers and other landowners.

two new agroforestry and fast rotation for fibre productionschemes have been introduced with respective premiumschemes of five and 10-year periods.

the following is a summary of the 11 measures in theForestry programme 2014-2020:

1. AFForestAtIonthe grant and premium Category (gpC) afforestationschemes are as announced in the 2015 yearbook:

- premiums to be payable for a maximum period of 15 years instead of 20 years.

- there will be a single premium rate for farmers and non-farmers.

Last year we published grants and premium payments asreceived when going to press. these were changed indecember. the new rates for grants are provided in table 2with changes to the fencing grant as outlined.

the major change in premium payments has been theremoval of the differential between farmers and non farmers.see table 3.

FORESTRY AND TIMBER YEARBOOK 2016

54

1st Grant

157523102360262537803990399025203990

3780

296014601245

2nd Grant

5257357908401155126012608401260

1155

990490420

Total

210030453150346549355250525033605250

4935

395019501665

Additional

fencing

allocation

IS436

500500500500500500500500500

500

500500500

Fencing

allocation

non-IS436

350350350350450450450450450

450

450450450

Total

available

funding

260035453650396554355750575038605750

5435

445024502165

Grant / premium category (GPC)

1 – Unenclosed2 - Sitka spruce / LP3 – 10% Diverse Conifer4 – Diverse Conifer5 – Broadleaf6 – Oak / Beech7 – Beech8 – Alder9 - Native Woodland

establishment (Scenarios 1-4)10 - Native Woodland

establishment (Scenario 4)11 - Agro-forestry 12a – Forestry for Fibre12b – Forestry for fibre (Aspen,1400)

Grant / premium category (GPC)

1 – Unenclosed2 - Sitka spruce / LP3 – 10% Diverse Conifer4 – Diverse Conifer5 – Broadleaf6 – Oak / Beech7 – Beech8 – Alder9 - Native Woodland establishment (Scenarios 1-3)10 - Native Woodland establishment (Scenario 4)11 - Agro-forestry 12 – Forestry for Fibre

Table 2: Proposed Afforestation Grant Rates (€/ha) in Forestry Programme 2015 – 2020.

Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Note: 5% increase on fixed rate grant.

Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Note: GPC numbers 9-12 are new additions. Farmers and non farmers received same premiums under new scheme.

No. yearsyears

151515151515151515150510

New rate –farmer/non-farmer

€185€440€510€560€575€615€615€575€635€635€260€180

Old rate – farmer

€155€369€427€454€481€515€515€481€515€515--

Table 3: Annual afforestation premiums (€/ha) for grant premium categories (GPCs) in ForestryProgramme to 2020.

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FORESTRY AND TIMBER YEARBOOK 2016

Power Performance Flexibility

BBEBESBESTBESTBESTPBEST

PeBEST

PerBEST

PerfBEST

PerfoBEST

PerforBEST

PerformBEST

PerformaBEST

PerformanBEST

PerformancBEST

PerformancePerformance

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2. roAdIng this measure will support the construction of forest roadsand associated infrastructure. the primary objectives, are toimprove the economic value and competitiveness of the for-est resource and provide access for harvesting machineryand timber transport. there have been a number of changesto the forest road scheme in relation to the area of eligibilityand the timing of payments. In addition it is proposed that agrant of up to €5,000 for special construction works beprovided as well as support for connecting to existing forestroad networks.

3. reConstItutIon the purpose of this measure is to restore and maintainforests and forest ecosystems following significant damageby natural causes. It is proposed that the measure will beprimarily aimed at restoring forest potential as a result ofdamage, or potential damage, from disease outbreaks.

support may also be considered towards the restoration offorests damaged by other natural and catastrophic eventsand/or climate change related events. It is proposed that themeasure will operate in a similar manner to the existingscheme.

4. neIghbourwoodthe neighbourwood scheme will provide grant supporttowards the enhancement of existing woodlands for publicaccess, education, recreation and enjoyment especially onsites near villages, towns and cities.

5. woodLAnd Improvement this measure, similar to the existing scheme, will supportthe thinning and tending of broadleaves to ensure “healthytree growth, landscape improvement, biodiversity enhance-ment, soil protection and water protection”.

Funding may also be provided for brashing to improveaccess for manual application of fertiliser where aerial fertil-isation is not possible.

6. nAtIve woodLAnd sCheme the primary aim of the native woodland scheme (nws) isto encourage and support the protection and expansion ofIreland’s native woodlands, using appropriate “close tonature” management techniques. the Forest service andwoodlands of Ireland acknowledge the recent decrease inbroadleaved planting and see the need to keep landowners,

the programme contains thefollowing measures: 1. Afforestation and cre-

ation of woodlands.

2. Forest infrastructure – Forest road scheme.

3. prevention and restora-tion of damage to forests – reconstitution scheme.

4. Improving environmental and community value of forestry – neighbour-wood scheme.

5. Improving broadleaved woodlands – woodland Improvement scheme.

6. Improving and conserving indigenous woodlands – native woodland scheme.

7. knowledge transfer and information actions.

8. support for producer groups.

9. Investment in forestry technology.

10. Improvement of forest genetic reproductive material for native species.

11. support for private own-ers to produce forest management plans (Fmps).

2014-2020 ForestryprogrAmme ContAIns 11 meAsures

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FORESTRY AND TIMBER YEARBOOK 2016

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foresters and other relevant stakeholders well informedabout planting native species. they have been organisingcourses for plantation owners, foresters, ecologists andother relevant stakeholders outlining the benefits of thenws, especially woodland conservation and establishment.

the grant and premium rates are provided in table 4 butapplicants should check out additional supports for fencingincluding deer fencing.

7. knowLedge trAnsFer this measure acknowledges that the transfer of awareness,knowledge and skills to forest owners through knowledgetransfer groups can play a pivotal role in achieving objectivessuch as developing a culture of forest management. the pro-posed measure will support four elements:

1. knowledge transfer groups, who will address training in areas of silviculture, financial management, forest health, environmental awareness, timber harvesting and marketing.

2. Continuous professional development – aimed at regis-tered foresters.

3. targeted training, aimed at private forest holders, pro-fessional foresters and forestry workers.

4. Advisory services to include support for field days, workshops and other educational events.

Premium

350 (for 7 years)

0

635(for 15 years)

Establishment scheme rates per grant premium category (GPC)

Table 4: Grant and premium rates (€/ha) under two Native Woodland Schemes (NWS).

Source: Adapted by D. Magner from Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and theMarine. (2015).*Applicants should check out additional supports such as fencing grants.

Conservation schemeNWS category

Private High forest Private Emergent WoodlandPublic Woodland

GPC 9GPC 10

Total grantpayable*

5,0002,5002,500

52504935

First instalment

3,8002,5002,500

39903780

Second instalment

1,20000

12601155

FORESTRY AND TIMBER YEARBOOK 2016

60

8. produCer groups the objective of this measure is to encourage and facilitateprivate forest owners to work co-operatively in themanagement and marketing of their forest resource. bycoming together, forest owners can create economies ofscale that will reduce management and marketing costs andimprove the viability of private forests.

9. Forestry teChnoLogythis measure aims to support the introduction of newtechnologies for use in private forests, which have thepotential to increase efficiency, reduce costs and minimise theenvironmental impact of forestry operations. It is aimed atsupporting small-scale technologies, which are applicable toprivate forest holders, producer groups, forest contractorsand haulage operators.

10. genetIC reproduCtIve mAterIAL the forest genetic measure will support the conservation ofnative forest genetic material and improve the resilience ofIrish forest species to disease and the effects of climatechange.

the proposed measure will provide support towards thecosts related to the management and conservation ofregistered seed stands and production areas such as seedorchards.

eligible forests include crops registered by the departmentas seed production sites or seed stands and being activelyused for seed production.

11. Forest mAnAgement pLAns the primary objective of this proposed measure is toencourage and facilitate private forest owners to completeforest management plans (Fmps) and submit to thedepartment by 2020. these will facilitate the issuing of fellinglicences and will apply to forests exceeding a certain size, tobe determined.

Fmps will enable forest owners to plan for future harvestingand other work as well as assisting in disease riskmanagement, environmental protection and fire prevention.properly co-ordinated they should also contribute toaccurate national forecasting of timber production.

The forest genetic measure willsupport the conservation of nativeforest genetic material andimprove the resilience of Irish for-est species to disease and theeffects of climate change.