Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme Another Missed Opportunity – IFA
IFA National Farm Forestry Chair Padraic Stapleton has expressed his disappointment at the detail of the new Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme launched by the Department of Agriculture.
“This is another missed opportunity by the Department of Agriculture. The scheme overall is very disappointing especially for commercial forests where a setback will apply, and the area is not included in this scheme,” he said.
“Also, the proposed seven-year payments for ecosystems are far too short and should be extended,” the IFA National Farm Forestry Chair said.
The scheme offers three support options for forestry owners considering forestry management at the reforestation stage. An individual application can apply under one, two or all three elements of the scheme provided one element is selected per plot and no physical overlap exists.
“This scheme is an opportunity to encourage reforestation, but it is not fit for purpose in how it is designed.”
“We will be writing to the Minister to seek a meeting on this to outline our issues with the scheme and press home that changes are absolutely necessary in order to make it attractive for forestry owners to apply to it,” Padraic Stapleton concluded.
Full details of the new scheme can be found here
