Forestry Targets Will Require More Funding than Budget ‘27

IFA Farm Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton has acknowledged the 3.13% increase in funding for the forestry sector in Budget 2027, but said more is needed.

“The increase comes at a time where the sector is still recovering from last year’s storms, as well as dealing with the consequences of Ash dieback,” he said.

“Budget 2027 allocated €96.26m. Comparing this to the 2023 and 2025 budgets where over €111m was secured annually, it raises questions about the Government’s commitment to achieving forestry cover of 17% of the land area by 2030.  It also suggests the Government does not consider forestry as a viable option for land use,” he said.

“The afforestation figures from the Forest Programme 2023-2027 show that annual planting levels are significantly below the target of 8,000 hectares. Farmers have become disengaged from forestry as a land use option and this is clearly shown in the rate of farmer planting.”

“If the Government is serious about reaching its targets, then more funding must be allocated.  The premium payment has to be extended beyond the 20-year duration for both broadleaved species and Areas of Biodiversity Enhancement. The maturity of broadleaves length is much greater than the current premium payment timeframe. Therefore, planting requirements must compensate for the loss of agricultural income,” he said.

He concluded, “Forestry is a strategically important sector that has a key role to play in achieving climate change targets, not just through carbon sequestration, but indirectly through the displacement of fossil fuel. Until adequate funding is allocated to support this sector, farmers will remain disengaged from farm forestry”.