Budget Cut a Further Blow for Farm Forestry

IFA Farm Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton has criticised the 17% reduction in funding for the forestry sector in Budget 2025, saying farm forestry is once again being left behind.

“This cut in funding sends a really poor signal to the forestry sector at a time when confidence is already at an all-time low,” he said.

Budget 2024 allocated €110m to the sector compared to €91m in Budget 2025. This raises questions about the Government’s commitment to achieve forestry cover to 17% of the land area in the country by 2030.  It also suggests the Government does not consider forestry as a viable option for land use. 

“The reduced funding is to support the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 and to provide for the Ash Dieback Reconstitution Scheme and the Ash Dieback Climate Action Performance Payment. It is disheartening at a time where farm forestry is looking for more financial support to see the €19m reduction compared to last year,” he said.

“With the pause on timber imports from Scotland, there is an urgency for certification to be processed in a prompt manner. The additional funding could have been used to resource the certification process along with many other forestry areas in need.”

“Week on week, the national dashboard figures indicate the future of farm forestry is bleak unless the Government makes radical changes to the Forestry Programme and resources the sector with much-needed funds,” he concluded.