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Farmers and landowners planting new forestry will receive higher establishment grants and premiums from this year, following a mid-term review of the Forestry Programme 2014-2020.
Documents seen by the Irish Farmers Journal show that larger and more diverse crops will attract 5% to 7% higher payments, while the agroforestry premium will more than double.
The most popular categories at the lower end of the payment scale covering unenclosed and less diverse conifer plantations will receive the smallest increases – €30 to €50/ha for grants, and €5 to €10/ha for annual premiums over 10ha only.
The top-paying broadleaf categories, previously eligible for a maximum of €5,750/ha in grants, will rise to €6,220/ha. Their premiums will increase by €30 to €45/ha, with the top rate for native woodlands now €680/ha.
Agroforestry projects combining tree planting and traditional farming will receive the biggest boost, with maximum grants jumping from €4,450 to €6,220/ha.
Five-year premiums will rise from €260 to up to €660/ha annually.
Increased funding will also cover deer fencing, longer roadways and second thinnings in broadleaves as eligibility for the Woodland Improvement Scheme extends to existing forests.
The increase in payments comes as afforestation figures fell to a 23-year low in 2017.
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