Ash Dieback Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme in Need of Redesign – IFA

IFA National Farm Forestry Chair Padraic Stapleton has outlined his frustration at the detail of the new Ash Dieback Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) Scheme just launched by the Department of Agriculture.

“The current framework of the CAPP Scheme for ash dieback excludes farmers with ash trees in their plantations that were not part of their initial plantation plan, this is simply unacceptable and entirely unfair on the excluded farmers,” outlines Mr Stapleton.

“More so, the compensation package is far short of what is needed which is further increasing the frustration farmers feel towards the Department. The scheme does not compensate the costs associated with the safe removal of the diseased trees which is going to have a major impact on participation in the scheme,” Padraic Stapleton said.

The CAPP Scheme provides farmers with twelve months for site clearance from the date of approval, with a total period of 18 months from date of approval to replant. However, in the case of the clear-felling of a commercial plantation there is a two-year window to replant.

IFA are also looking for the CAPP Scheme to be amended to provide a 2-year period for replanting in line with commercial plantations.

“This scheme was an opportunity to encourage reforestation, but it is not fit for purpose in how it is designed. It is disappointing that the findings from the independent Review of Support for Farmers Impacted by Ash Dieback carried out by the department and published in Autunm 2023 was not taken into consideration.”  

“IFA are meeting the Minister shortly on forestry matters and will raise the issues we have on this scheme, pressing home that changes are necessary to properly address farmers concerns and finally bring an end to this Ash Dieback debacle,” the IFA National Farm Forestry Chair concluded.

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