Farmers Now Dominate Forestry Planting
Issued 12th February 2002
Planting by farmers now accounts for 90% of total afforestation compared to less than 10% in the early 1980's. This, according to economic consultant, Brendan Kearney, is a direct result of increased financial support, the growing acceptance by farmers of forestry as a farming option and reduced activity by Coillte, the state forestry company, in acquiring and planting land.
Addressing the Teagasc Rural Development Conference in Tullamore, Mr Kearney said forest cover in Ireland ranges from a low of 2% in Meath to 21% in Wicklow. However, in parts of many counties in the west and north west the area covered with trees is as high as the figure for Wicklow.
Overall, Ireland has the lowest forest cover in the EU, at 9% compared with an average of 31% for the EU as a whole.
He said the results of a recent study show that the development of forestry had no impact on the level of agricultural production or population trends. In fact, the effect on total revenue on the areas planted will be positive due to forestry premium payments and the current and future value of timber sales.
"The vast bulk of afforested areas are marginal for agriculture and the population in these areas had been in decline since Famine times. In view of the fact that the premia paid on forestry is exempt from tax, a further considerable of forestry would boost overall farm revenue without depressing agricultural output", he said.
Brendan Kearney said that in spite of the recent increase in the level of the forestry premium EU support for agriculture is still more than double that for forestry.
"The annual value of transfers from consumers and taxpayers to support agricultural producers through the agricultural policy process is €711 per hectare for the EU as a whole. The equivalent support for forestry is just under €300 per hectare," he said.
Mr Kearney said that the changing structure of farming, particularly the increasing incidence of part-time farming, is likely to lead to a more positive attitude to forestry. Part-time farmers are more positive towards forestry and tend to take a more 'rational' approach in the land-use decision making process, he said.
