Gildernew Calls On Farmers To Create More Woodland

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA, today announced increases in forestry grants, under the Rural Development Programme to encourage more farmers and landowners to create their own woodland.

Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) rates are set to rise by up to 30 per cent. The scheme is open to all landowners wishing to establish new woodland.  The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) which provides an annual payment for up to 15 years to compensate for loss of agricultural income, will see its rates increased by as much as 50 per cent.

Minister Gildernew said: “We know that woodlands are important for many reasons, from the more obvious benefits of timber and woodfuel production, to a haven for wildlife and an increasing demand for places which people can enjoy. We are also now aware that climate change is a global problem and carbon dioxide emissions are the main cause of climate change. Trees havethe unique ability to capture and store carbon dioxide, and in addition, by using wood, we can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released in comparison with using other materials such as concrete and steel.

”Unfortunately the north of Ireland is among the least wooded areas in Europe and we have set challenging targets to increase our woodland cover. Despite the pressures on expenditure and financial constraints, I am very keen to create greater incentives for farmers and landowners to plant trees so that we can all benefit from the advantages of more woodland. Now is a good time to take advantage of the new grant scheme rates and apply to Forest Service to plant your own wood in time for the coming tree planting season.”

The announcement was made following Forest Service consultation with a cross section of stakeholders involved in woodland creation and a subsequent review of the Woodland Grant Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme payment rates.

The Woodland Grant Scheme will now pay £2400 per hectare for broadleaved woodland and £1600 per hectare for conifer woodland.     

For new farmer applicants and farmer applicants under the current Farm Woodland Premium Scheme open since January 2007, annual payment rates will increase by as much as 50%. These higher rates range up to £290 per hectare (or £117 per acre) per year and compare very favourably with current conacre rates for grassland. They depend on the category of land to be planted and whether it is inside or outside the Less Favoured Areas (LFA), so check first before applying.

Forest Service will also continue to provide funding for the Short Rotation Coppice Scheme, at least until 2013 when the current Rural Development Programme comes to an end. Already farmers have created approximately 800 ha of Short Rotation Coppice for an energy end use, under this scheme, and its predecessor, the Short Rotation Coppice Challenge Fund.

Lastly, for those of you claiming Single Farm Payment (SFP) in 2008, remember that you can now plant your land, and continue to claim SFP as well as the annual FWPS forestry payments.

For further details on forestry grant schemes, phone Forest Service on 02890 765391, email to grants.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk or go to the Forest Service website www.forestserviceni.gov.uk.

1. The Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) provides grant aid to establish new woodland of at least 0.2 hectare (half an acre) and is open to all landowners, not just farmers. Forest Service has increased the Woodland Grant Scheme rates by up to 30% and they are: For broadleaved woodland - £2400 per hectare; For conifer woodland - £1600 per hectare. The new WGS rates will apply to all claims received from 23rd November 2009.

2. The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) provides an annual payment for up to fifteen years to compensate for loss of agricultural income. Rates depend on the category of land to be planted and whether it is inside or outside the Less Favoured Areas (LFA). We have increased rates for farmer applicants under the current FWPS scheme by as much as 50% to stimulate increased uptake. The new FWPS rates will be paid from this year on. They will apply to all FWPS agreements with applications made under the current Rural Development Programme, i.e. from 1st January 2007. They will not be retrospective.

3. FWPS agreements prior to 1st January 2007 have been reviewed and uplifted by a more modest 5%.

4. The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme is part EU funded under the Rural Development Programme and to be eligible for the above rates, you must be a farmer, defined as someone who obtains at least 25% of your gross income from farming. If you are not a farmer as defined above, you may be eligible for the lower rate of annual payment, which remains capped at a maximum of £100 per hectare per year.

5. Further details of Forestry Grant Schemes are available by phoning Forest Service on 02890 765391, by email to grants.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk or through the Forest Service website www.forestserviceni.gov.uk.

6. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, telephone 028 9052 4619. Out of hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440, and your call will be returned.