Waterford landowners to receive forestry premium payments

The Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry Senator Pippa Hackett has announced the commencement of the 2021 forestry premium payments to landowners. 

Referring to the annual premium which is paid to landowners who have planted trees on their land under the Department’s Afforestation Scheme, the Minister said: “I am delighted to see these payments going out so early in the year. We simply must plant more trees, and the size and timeliness of these payments demonstrate the extent to which woodland creation is a profitable and sustainable land use option for farmers and other landowners. They are also evidence of my Department’s commitment for landowners who undertake it under our planting schemes.”

This week's payment run will see just under €30 million paid out to 8,300 landowners. The payments are annual tax-free premiums, made early in the year due to the Department’s fully online system which delivers a simpler application process and a faster turnaround time.  

The grants cover the cost of establishing the forest plantation and also provide for the payment of annual forestry premium of up to €680 per hectare for 15 years.