Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot Scheme Another Missed Opportunity – IFA

IFA National Farm Forestry Chair Padraic Stapleton has outlined his disappointment at the detail of the new Climate Resilient Reforestation Pilot scheme just 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,” Padraic Stapleton 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 has three support options for forest owners who are considering nature forest management at reforestation stage. An individual application under this scheme can apply under one, two or all three elements as long as no physical overlap exists, and one element is selected per plot.

“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.

For more information on current details of the scheme click here.