End of Blanket Ban on Forestry in Hen Harrier proposed SPA's 31st March '07
A protocol which will allow planting of some land in the 9 areas proposed as SPA's for the Hen Harrier has been announced by Minister Wallace and Minister Roche today. This marks the end of a long running battle between the farmers and landowners in these areas against the proposed designation.Nicholas Cotter, director of the Mid Western Forestry Services, welcomed the new protocol but said it was a compromise.
“Most people who want to plant in the hen harrier areas will now be allowed. But I stress the word ‘most’, he said, pointing out that planting trees on heaths and bogs in West Limerick is out for at least 15 years, but it is certainly an improvement on the scenario we had for the past two years when people who farmed in areas that weren’t even designated hen harrier areas were refused permission for forestry,” he said. "The views of foresters and farmers have been vindicated".
Under the new rules, the heath-bog habitat which is so important for the hen harrier will be fully preserved.
New FEPS scheme launched!
On the 9th of January Minister Mary Wallace TD announced the new Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS). Its introduction marks a period of renewed commitment from the Government, to Forestry in Ireland. It has been a remarkable achievement for Minister Wallace and her Department to get approval from the EU to run the new 2007 forestry schemes in advance of final agreement of the 2007-2013 RDP which should happen in May or June this year.
What is FEPS?
In a nutshell, FEPS is a new scheme which came into operation in Jan 2007, where basically a farmer who plants under FEPS will get the equivalent of the increased 2007 forestry premium PLUS whatever REPS payment he/she would receive on the land if he/she were in REPS.
In 2006, the highest payment a landowner could get for planting land was €202 per acre, now this has increased to €312 per acre. "This now makes Forestry the best and most profitable land use for over one million hectares of Irish farmland", says Nicholas Cotter, Director of Mid Western Forestry.
So what are the benefits of FEPS
FORESTRY AND REPS ON THE SAME LAND - FEPS has a higher requirement regarding the environment and thus in addition to the new 2007 Forestry premium, delivers an additional payment approximately equivalent to the REPS payments to farmers who qualify and plant under FEPS. It’s like being paid for forestry and REPS on the same land, says Nicholas
FARMERS CURRENTLY NOT IN REPS - The FEPS scheme will be particularly attractive to farmers who are
not currently in REPS and can qualify for REPS and FEPS. This
time last year the top rate payable for forestry was €202 per
acre, now since Minister Wallace introduced the new FEPS scheme
farmers can get up to €313 per acre for planting.
FARMERS LEASING OUT THEIR LAND - It may be even more
attractive again to farmers who are currently leasing their land
because not only will they be getting up to €313 per acre
tax-free but they will be growing a crop of trees on their land
which will be increasing in value each year and also they will
not have the hassle of collecting rent or having people farming
their land and the problems that leasing/renting may bring.
NICER LOOKING FORESTRY FOR THE HOME FARM - Another
benefit of FEPS is that you are allowed to plant more
broadleaves and also have more open space in your plantation.
This is particularly relevant to farmers who are planting on
their home farms where they live. A criticism of the old
forestry scheme was that it was ok for out-farms but not that
suitable for planting home farms where you would be looking out
at the trees all the time.
MORE OPEN SPACE AND YOU GET PAID TO MAKE IT LOOK NICER
- Under FEPS you can have up to 20% of the area devoted to
bio/open spaces and the minimum broadleaf content of the
plantation increases to 15%. Not only that, but you now get paid
to put in signs, nature trails, a pond, timber gates, seating
etc which will leave you with a much more aesthetically pleasing
and multifunctional woodland with high wildlife, recreational
and amenity value for you and your children. If you were in REPS
you would have to pay for the tree planting and the hedging and
the planting, in FEPS the grant covers the cost of all this, no
cost to you. Nicholas points out that this has been one of the
biggest selling points of the scheme to date.
INCOME CRITERIA TO QUALIFY HAS BEEN REMOVED - A further significant change has been made regarding the income qualification requirement. Prior to this scheme a farmer had to prove that he/she derived at least 25% of income from farming whereas under FEPS if he/she has a Department Registration number (herd no, reps no, flock no etc) he/she will be classified as a farmer and will be eligible to receive the higher rate of premium. This will be good news for many farmers who could not qualify under the old forestry scheme.
Mary Wallace, Minister of State to the Department of Agriculture with special responsibility for Forestry.
“The current package of supports is the most attractive that has ever been offered”
"Properly planned and managed forestry is one of the most environmentally friendly uses to which land can be put”
"With the new and improved 2007 Afforestation scheme, the annual forestry premium paid to farm foresters has increase by 15%, with a new maximum payment of up to €574 per hectare per annum”.
"FEPS will allow farmers to establish forests which are aesthetically pleasing and multifunctional with high recreational, wildlife and amenity value which will be a significant contribution to the countryside. In return these farmers will qualify for a premium of up to €774 per hectare per annum. This truly is the most attractive package for forestry, ever”.