It has been ascertained that over 450 landowners haven’t yet used their forestry licences. These farmers have been issued with a letter from the Department of Agriculture asking them to detail the reason for the lack of planting.
In a separate missive to forestry advisors, the Department says the conversion rate from licensing to planting is low. “This low conversion rate means that a disproportionate amount of processing effort both by the Department and the sector does not result in planting.”
Ann Cunningham, Assistant Principal Officer in the Forestry Division of the Department states that improving this conversion rate is a priority for the Department.
The information sourced by landowners will help to design future forestry schemes, and assess whether immediate follow-up actions or information could be made available to address concerns or reasons listed in responses.
The Department has shared that 451landowners have licences over six months old, which are approved to plant 3,800ha. The letter requests that those who have decided to plant the approved woodland to contact the registered forester who submitted their application. The message being that, “With good forest management, you can watch your investment grow, for your future,”
The Department encourages farmers to use their forestry licences to make use of benefits such as annual payments for 15 years’ worth between €180-€680/ha planted per year.
LSL News.