Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on an annual environmental services payment for farmers who have undertaken the long term risk of producing broadleaf plantations here and thereby assist those farmers concerned in the shaping and first thinning of their broadleaf forests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43882/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are no proposals to introduce an additional annual payment for farmers who have planted broadleaf forests. My Department already provides very generous annual premium payments to farmers who plant broadleaf forests, under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. These premiums are paid for 20 years and range from €508 to €573 per hectare per annum. Furthermore, farmers who plant under the Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS) can avail of an additional premium of up to €200 per hectare for the first 5 years of the scheme.