Forestry Grant Schemes
Your local Forestry Adviser provides private
landowners with free, independent and objective
advice and can help you answer the
following questions:
Select your county to contact your local Forestry Adviser: . |
Financial assistance is available to: |
Establishing a forestThe
Afforestation
Grant and Premium Scheme (effective 1 January 2011), the Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS)
and the
Native Woodland
(Establishment) Scheme
are available from the
Forest Service
of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the
Marine.
The grants available in these schemes generally
covers all of the costs associated with the
establishment and early management of a forest. The
rate of afforestation grant and annual forest
premium available under these schemes depends on the
quality of the land and the type of tree species it can
grow.
Download afforestation grant and premium rates
Further details regarding the 2011 Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme. The First Instalment of the grant (75%) is payable after the planting stage and includes operations such as ground preparation, drainage, fencing and planting. The Second Instalment (the remaining 25% of the grant) is paid four years after planting, once the trees have become fully established and are free-growing . This payment covers maintenance works that will often be required (e.g. vegetation management , the replacement of failures). Annual forest premium payments are payable for a period of 20 years in the case of farmers, or 15 years for non-farmers. Applications are submitted to the Forest Service (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food), and approval is issued following assessment. The first instalment is then paid after planting, subject to adherence to scheme conditions and various environmental guidelines. How do I get the planting done?The option you choose should reflect your circumstances and the amount of time you can allocate to planning, organising and doing the work. It is important that your investment is managed to the highest standards to ensure you reap the rewards as the timber matures. Ensure that you have a written contract between you and your Registered Forester in place before any work begins. All contracts should be referred to a solicitor. The Forest Service sets
the standards and approves grant and premium
payments. Once you have decided to plant, you can
choose how to get the job done from the list of
options described in
this leaflet
No matter which option you choose, all the
paperwork at pre-planting, post-planting and at the
second instalment stage must be prepared by a
Registered Forester working on your behalf. These
are professional foresters who are working in the
private sector and who are registered with the
Forest Service. A
List of
Registered Foresters
You are responsible.Prior to the payment of the second instalment grant at Year 4, you as the forest owner must be satisfied that the forest has been maintained in accordance with best forest practice and only if you are happy with your plantation should you sign the year 4 form. No matter which option you choose the Forest Service Inspector assesses a sample of sites at pre-approval stage, post planting stage and at year 4 stage, so do not assume that standards have been checked by a Departmental Inspector. It is important to keep in mind that you, as the applicant, have a responsibility to the Forest Service for your plantation (not your Registered Forester). Insurance against potential hazards such as fire and windthrow is strongly recommended to protect your investment.
Planting land is a major decision
(consider these
important questions
prior to making a final decision) and you should be satisfied that the establishment
option you choose is right for you. Talk to your
local
forestry development officer
who will help you with free, independent
and objective advice.
The following downloads are available:
|
|
Who’s who in the forest industry
|
|
| Other forestry-related grant schemes: |
|---|
|
Please note: Regulations may change over time. Before making an application, please check that you have the most recent information. |
