EU Commission extends state aid for National Forestry Programme
The European Commission has agreed to an extension of the state aid approval for Ireland’s National Forestry Programme for 2021.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for forestry, Pippa Hackett has acknowledged the importance of the extension.
“This is good news which will provide assurance to those who wish to apply for grants under the current forestry programme,” Minister Hackett said.
“The extension was necessary as there were delays in issuing new EU guidelines for state aid in the agriculture and forestry sector, but this gives legal certainty for the continuation of the programme.”
New model for forestry
The minister has outlined the scope the extension provides her for delivering a new model for forestry.
She stated: “This extended period gives us a much needed opportunity to look afresh at forestry in Ireland.
We know we need to build and improve on the existing model to provide ecosystem services, income, jobs and recreational opportunities as well as contributing to our challenging environmental goals.
“I want to oversee the design of that model and am fully committed to the consultation with all stakeholders which will help inform a new Forest Strategy and deliver a sustainable forestry programme.
“Clearly we still have some way to go to meet the ambition we have set ourselves but I intend to build on the momentum we have created, so that we not only increase the number of licences issued to land and forest owners in the months ahead, but we also design a model of woodland creation which works for all,” she added.
The minister said that 2020 was a difficult year for many in the sector but said the trend is encouraging and has continued into 2021.
I believe that the recent improvements allied to the confirmed extension of our schemes for another year means that we can look forward to 2021 with more hope for forestry in Ireland. I will continue to engage intensively with all interested stakeholders on these issues,” the minister said.
Forestry licences
On October 1, 2020, DAFM had 4,832 applications on hand for processing. 1,045 new licences have issued since then and the department currently has 4,453 licences on hand for processing when new applications received since are included.
A breakdown of these figures is below:
The department has provided the following figures for felling:
