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HomeBeefNew €1.3m forestry programme: Increased premiums of up to €1,142/ha
€10m issuing to 3,000 REAP farmers €10m in the form of REAP (Results-Based Environmental Agri-Pilot) payments will hit over 3,000 farmers’ bank accounts. Earlier today (Friday, December 10th, 2021), Minister Charlie McConalogue announced that the DAFM has commenced issuing 2021 payments under year one of the pilot. REAP currently has 3,740 active participants. The current round of REAP payments includes the participation, environmental payments (calculated from field scoring and assessment) and a late meadow bonus. Payments for complementary actions (tree and hedge planting and hedge gapping) will commence when payment claims are submitted in the first quarter of 2022. The closing date for REAP participants to submit their complementary action claim is March 31st, 2022. REAP payments In a statement, the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine said: “REAP is an innovative and farmer-friendly programme introduced this year.” “To be taking it from concept right through design and implementation. now payment is a great credit to farmers, my department and farm advisors for working collaboratively.” “Through REAP, we are bringing greater environmental and biodiversity value to how we farm.” “Almost 32,000 ha is under the scheme. Systems are in place to support REAP farmers and their advisors to deliver for our environment.” “This is part of our collective efforts to re-align Irish agriculture in support of our greater climate and biodiversity objectives. I look forward to the continued success of REAP into 2022.” The DAFM launched the two-year REAP programme earlier this year to trial an agri-environment results-based scoring and payment system on farms across the country. The project is testing the upscaling potential of the model for use in the next agri-environment scheme to follow from GLAS. Furthermore, the DAFM said REAP would also help identify the training needs of Irish farmers and advisors to ensure maximum participation in future agri-environmental schemes. The minister summarised the scheme’s achievements to date: • The environmental assessment and scoring of almost 32,000 ha using a combination of the Low Input Grassland and Multi-Species Ley scorecards; • Training over 400 farm advisors and REAP farmers in the results-based approach. In conjunction with their advisor, REAP participants may undertake environmental improvement works to increase the environmental value of their land with the aim of improving their score in year two. REAP participants can also avail of financial support for the planting trees, hedges, and hedge gapping, where these actions are “likely” to improve environmental and biodiversity quality. Contact DAFM Farmers wishing to contact the Department regarding their REAP payment can do so by emailing - rbp@agriculture.gov.ie - or via its helpdesk at 053 9163425. Protein Aid Payments commence for tillage farmers Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has commenced issuing payments under the 2021 Protein Aid Scheme. Minister Charlie McConalogue yesterday Thursday, December 9th), confirmed that €3m will hit tillage farmers’ accounts. He said the DAFM set the 2021 payment rate at €300/hectare. Payments will be visible in farmers’ bank accounts in “the coming days”.
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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New €1.3m forestry programme: Increased premiums of up to €1,142/ha

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The European Commission has granted state aid approval to the afforestation scheme under the country’s new forestry programme in the current CAP.

The forestry programme represents a €1.3 billion investment by the government in the sector for the next five years from 2023-2027.

The new programme provides for increased premiums for planting trees of up to €1,142 per hectare depending on the forest type, as well as extending the premium period from 15 to 20 years for farmers, while others will receive premiums for 15 years.

According to the DAFM, it offers a “broad” range of planting options, and the rates are 46%-66% higher than the previous forestry programme.

The total budget for the forestry programme 2023 – 2027 is €1.3 billion, according to a statement from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

This includes establishment grants for afforestation as well as annual premium payments for 20 years for farmers who sign up to the programme between 2023 and 2027, and 15 years for non-farmers who do so.

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Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 Grant and Premium Rates

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has published grant and premium rates for its 2023-2027 afforestation scheme as follows:

Forest type Grant/ha Annual Premium/ha Duration of Premiums for farmers Duration of Premiums for non-farmers
FT1 Native Forests €6,744 €1,103 20 15
FT2 Forests for water* €6,744 €1,142 20 15
FT3 Forests on Public Lands** €10,544 n/a n/a
FT4 NeighbourWoods*** €10,200 €1,142 20 15
FT5 Emergent Forest €2,500 €350 20 15
FT6 Broadleaf, mainly oak and beech €6,744 €1,037 20 15
FT7 Diverse Broadleaf €4,314 €973 20 15
FT8 Agroforestry €8,555 €975 10 10
FT9 Seed Orchards €10,000 €1,142 20 15
FT10 Continuous Cover Forestry €5,421 €912 20 15
FT11 Mixed high forests: Conifer, 20% broadleaves €4,452 €863 20 15
FT12 Mixed high forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves €3,858 €746 20 15

An additional payment of €1,000 per ha will be paid to the landowner on completion of planting.

Grant includes trails, seats & signage facilities payment**

Grant includes Facilities payment***

See previous farming news article on:

€80/meeting for farmers in Forestry Knowledge Transfer Group

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