The Irish government has launched a new forestry program for 2023-2027 with attractive new premium rates across a broad spectrum of planting options. From native forests to commercial plantations, premiums have seen an increase from previous rates of up to 66%. Furthermore, the period of tax-free premium payment has been extended for farmers across most categories with 20 years now the standard.
Although commercial forestry is still an attractive prospect for farmers and non-farmers alike, a focus has, no-doubt, been shifted towards native forests with the highest premium rates belonging to categories such as Forests for Water, Broadleaf and Seed Orchards, which look to bolster Ireland’s response to the climate and biodiversity crises.
The announcement of the new forestry program was made on the 3rd November 2022, by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister of State with responsibility for forestry Pippa Hackett, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue.
