New Forest Technology Scheme Not Fit for Purpose

IFA Farm Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton said the new Innovative Forest Technology Scheme is not fit for purpose in how it is designed and the the lack of ambition with the budget.

The purpose of the Scheme is to encourage the use of specialised forest harvesting and extraction equipment capable of operating on sensitive sites with difficult terrain, particularly those characterised by soft soils and steep slopes. The specialised equipment will protect these sites and increase operator safety.

“Up to four projects per year will be grant aided, with a budget of €50,000 for each. If the budget is not used, more than four projects may be considered. However, the overall budget is insufficient, given the scale of operations across the country,” he said.

While this scheme had the potential to deliver on improving operator health and safety aspects alone, its scale is unrealistic with such a small allocation.

Padraic Stapleton said the sustainable forest harvesting machinery grant is open to existing experienced operators and providers of forest harvesting and extraction services. However, it is disappointing that it doesn’t apply to conventional harvesting and forwarding machines.

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