AN increase in National Forestry Programme payment rates for all types of plantation will have significant potential for land owners in County Limerick.
That’s the view of Limerick City East Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan who said that the party’s achievement in securing the largest ever investment by an Irish government in tree-planting was a huge step forward in meeting Ireland’s climate action targets.
“The announcement earlier this month of a €1.3 million investment in Irish forestry will have significant potential for land owners in Limerick,” he said.
“Planting trees will be hugely important in the coming years, with significantly increased afforestation a key part of our Climate Action Plan. This unprecedented package of supports will help us deliver the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, and it couldn’t come at a more appropriate time, given the urgency of taking climate mitigation measures.
“Planting trees is one of the most effective methods of tackling climate change, as well as contributing to improved biodiversity and water quality, and securing this level of investment is another example of how the Green Party is using its position in government to deliver climate action and strengthen Ireland’s biodiversity.”
Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity, said that the new Forestry Programme, will come into place early next year, following approval from the European Commission.
“It is built around the principle of the right tree in the right place, for the right reasons with the right management. It will deliver a more diverse forest that is better for the climate, biodiversity and water quality,” she explained.
“Under the new programme, grant payments will increase for all forest types, with native forests and other broadleaf forests seeing the most significant increases in annual payment rates. There will also be attractive financial incentives for agroforestry, forests for water, rewilding, and continuous cover forestry”.
