Mary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)

In terms of incentives, the current forestry grant and premium package is without doubt the most attractive that has ever been available. Farmers and landowners can avail of an establishment grant of 100% of costs, a tax free premium of up to €500 per hectare per annum for 20 years at present, and under the single farm payment scheme, farmers can plant up to 50% of their eligible claimed area without losing entitlements. Under the new rural development plan for 2007-13, we intend to bring forward a new forestry programme. The detail of the new rural development plan has yet to be finalised, but it will be made available for public consultation shortly.

Earlier this year my Department embarked on a joint initiative with the Irish Forestry Industry Chain under the heading Forests for a Bright Future to highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry and to stimulate uptake in the afforestation programme. This promotional campaign is expected to run for at least 18 months and it is promoting the advantages of forestry, particularly to farmers, with a view to increasing the rate of new planting.

See this speech in context