Forest Service NewsIssue No. 12 – January 2015

Message from Tom Hayes Minister of State Welcome to the annual Forestry Newsletter. 2014 was a very busy and productive year for us all and, as I write this in January 2015, we are looking forward to the roll-out of a new Forestry Programme for the period 2014-2020.

I announced last December the Government’s approval of the new Forestry Programme covering the period 2014 – 2020. The approval of the new programme is an important milestone for the future development of the sector and a vote of confidence in an industry which contributed €2.3 billion to GDP in 2012.

The new afforestation scheme in particular will be welcomed by both landowners and the forest industry as significant improvements have been made to the original proposal which was circulated for public consultation last September. The programme strikes a balance between the needs of a growing export led processing sector and the need to maximise the environmental and social benefits that can be delivered by forestry and the ‘public good’ enjoyed by society. It consists of 11 measures with increased grant and premiums rates for new afforestation projects and will involve total new spending of €262 million and a further €220 million in future commitments from 2020, mostly in relation to premium payments. These measures aim to increase forest cover and generate additional supplies of timber and wood biomass to meet the projected increase in demand from the wood processing and renewable energy sectors.

The schemes dealing with Afforestation, Forest Roads and Woodland Improvement are now open for applications. Work with the EU Commission is still ongoing in relation to State aid approval for the Programme and officials at my Department are working closely with the Commission on an early approval of the Programme. A final decision on Ireland’s application is expected by the end of this month.

Existing forest owners may be interested to note that there are a number of changes in the Forest Road Scheme in terms of the area of eligibility and the timing of payments. A grant of up to €5,000 is included for special construction works and support for connecting to existing forest road networks. The Special Construction Works Grant will be targeted at applications falling within Natura 2000 sites and other environmentally sensitive areas to encourage the building of infrastructure that will help minimise any adverse effects on water quality that might arise from harvesting.

I appreciate, of course, that planting forestry may not be appropriate for every land owner or every farm, but I encourage land owners and farmers to investigate the potential of forestry on their lands and to seriously consider it as an option. Detailed advice is available from a Teagasc advisor or any registered forester on the best options for a person’s circumstances. There is also a number of Forest Owner and Producer Groups throughout the country, who, I am sure, would be happy to share their experiences with others who are thinking of investing in forestry.

The Government recognises the need for continued State support for afforestation through grant and other support schemes, advisory and development services, as was evident from the allocation of over €111 million for forestry in 2015. Such support represents a long-term investment and is entirely justified in view of the returns generated by the forestry and forest products sector for our economy.

The forestry sector supports thousands of jobs in establishment, harvesting, transport, sawmilling, processing and renewable energy. In the wider context, forestry has an important role to play in helping to achieve our international emission reduction target by substantially reducing the amount of carbon credits that Ireland may need to offset this shortfall. A fundamental requirement for achieving the potential of Irish forestry, and for the future prosperity of our forest industry, is a continuous supply of good quality timber. I am confident that the new Forestry Programme measures will go a long way towards encouraging and supporting farmers and land owners to become involved in forestry.

A significant achievement in the forestry area in 2014 was the enactment of the Forestry Act 2014. I appreciate the contribution and input from the various representative groups and stakeholders during the passage of the Forestry Bill through both Houses of the Oireachtas. The next step in the process is the drafting of regulations required under the Act and the commencement of the various provisions of the Act during 2015. We have been operating under the Forestry Act 1946 for over 68 years and I believe that it is essential that we have a modern legislative framework to support and sustain our forest sector into the 21st century.

My forestry portfolio is quite extensive, encompassing the legislative and policy framework, the operation of schemes, forest protection and ongoing operational issues. Work is ongoing in each of these areas. I am particularly encouraged by the level of ongoing co-operation and support from the forestry sector in relation to the development of this great industry. I believe that 2015 presents significant opportunities for forestry as a whole and I look forward to continuing to work with forest owners, farming and industry organisations and the many stakeholders to achieve the potential of the Irish forestry sector.

Tom Hayes, TD Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

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Forestry Programme 2014 - 2020A orestation Premium RatesGrant and Premium Rates (GPC) Premium (€/ha/yr) Duration (years)GPC 1 - Unenclosed €185 15GPC 2 - Sitka spruce/Lodgepole pine €440 15GPC 3 – 10% Diverse €510 15

GPC 4 – Diverse €560 15GPC 5 – Broadleaf €575 15GPC 6 – Oak €615 15GPC 7 – Beech €615 15GPC 8 – Alder €575 15GPC 9 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 1-3)

€635 15

GPC 10 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 4)

€635 15

GPC 11 – Agro-forestry €260 5GPC 12a – Forestry for Fibre €180 10GPC 12b – Forestry for Fibre - Aspen €180 10

A orestation Grant RatesGrant and Premium Category (GPC) 1st Grant

€/ha2nd Grant

€/haFencing Allocation €/ha Total Available Funding

€/haIS436(120m/ha cap)

Non-IS436(100m/ha cap)

GPC 1 - Unenclosed 1575 525

Maximum €500/ha at plantation

level

350 2600

GPC 2 - Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole Pine 2310 735 350 3545GPC 3 - 10% Diverse Conifer 2360 790 350 3650GPC 4 - Diverse Conifer 2625 840 350 3965GPC 5 - Broadleaf 3780 1155 450 5435GPC 6 - Oak 3990 1260 450 5750GPC 7 - Beech 3990 1260 450 5750GPC 8 - Alder 2520 840 450 3860GPC 9 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 1-3)

3990 1260 450 5750

GPC 10 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 4)

3780 1155 450 5435

GPC 11 - Agro-forestry 2960 990 450 4450GPC 12a - Forestry for Fibre 1460 490 450 2450GPC 12b - Forestry for Fibre 1245 420 450 2165

Eligibility - main points (see scheme documents for full details)• Applicants must be over 18 years of age and hold a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Companies must provide their company registration number (CRO). • All aff orestation projects must obtain prior written approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine termed ‘Technical Approval’. A separate ‘Financial Approval’ is also required for grant aided projects before work commences. • Applicants for technical approval must be the owner, lease holder or joint manager of the land at the time of the application. (Exceptions where owner is deceased or owner consents in writing)• An application for technical approval under the Aff orestation Scheme must be made by the applicant and a Registered Forester following a site visit and assessment by the Registered Forester.• Land must remain under forestry and therefore is subject to a replanting obligation for all grant categories outlined above.

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Grant and Premium Categories- determined by the category of land planted, the tree species and area planted.

GPC 1 – Unenclosed/Unimproved land: Typically comprises of upland sites and marginal soils. Th e amount of unenclosed land in any application for fi nancial approval cannot exceed 20% of the total area.

GPC 2 – Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole Pine: Does not comply with scheme requirements in isolation and can only be approved as a component of a larger project comprising of other GPCs.

GPC 3 – 10% diverse mix: Comprises of a mix of Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole pine together with at least 10% diverse conifer (approved conifer other than SS/LP). Broadleaves adjacent to roads and watercourses may also form part of this 10%.

GPC 4 – Diverse: Acceptable conifer species, other than Sitka spruce and Lodgepole Pine

GPC 5 – Broadleaf: Acceptable broadleaf species other than Oak and Beech

GPC 6 – Oak: Pure oak, however nurse species may be planted where additional shelter is required

GPC 7 – Beech: Pure beech, however nurse species may be planted where additional shelter is required

GPC 8 – Alder: Pure Alder; up to 10% can be of other species for diversity

GPC 9 and GPC 10 – Native Woodland establishment: Th is category supports the establishment of new native woodlands on ‘green fi eld’ sites. Its focus is on native species, minimal site disturbance and long-term ‘close to nature’ management. It presents opportunities for planting in various environmentally sensitive areas eg NATURA sites. (Refer to Native Woodland Establishment Scheme Manual guidelines on native woodland types, species mixture and planting design)

GPC 11 – Agro-Forestry: ‘Silvopastoral agroforestry’, combination of forestry and pasture. Stocking rate of 400-1000 trees per ha; equally spaced with a minimum plot size of 0.5ha and tree to tree width of 20m. Acceptable species include oak, sycamore and cherry (other species considered). 80% of costs covered. Grazing by sheep or young domestic stock is permitted during spring and summer for the fi rst 6-8 years. Trees must be protected and tree shelters checked regularly. Tree shelters can then be replaced with plastic mesh and larger stock can be introduced. Silage and hay production is also permitted.

GPC 12 (a&b) – Forestry for Fibre: Th is scheme supports the growing of productive tree species to produce wood biomass yields in the region of 150-300 m3/ha over 10-15yrs. Eligible species are: Italian Alder, Hybrid Aspen, Eucalyptus and Poplar (preference to improved genetic material). Trees are planted at a minimum of 2000 plants per ha (A reduced grant rate applies for Aspen which is planted at 1,400 trees per ha). Th is scheme does not fund short rotation coppice, Christmas trees or fast growing trees (cut every 9 years).

Other Forestry Schemes:

Forest Road Scheme - A rate of €40/m to a maximum of 20m / ha is available where 50% or greater of the area is due for harvesting in the next 3 years (5 years for Joint applications). Special construction works may be funded on environmentally sensitive sites up to max of €5000 per application or 50% of costs whichever is lower. Additional funding will be available where signifi cant additional stone is required to build a bell mouth where it is at least 2m below the surface of the existing public road i.e. an additional equivalent length of 30m per entrance. Forest roads connecting to an existing forest road network in a public, state or private forest may be supported including portion of road outside property where there is agreement between owners. 1st instalment amounts to 90% of total grant while 20% of the forest must be thinned within 3 years of receiving the 1st instalment.

Woodland Improvement Scheme - €750/ha thinning and tending of broadleaves planted since 1980. A cost based grant may be available for brashing operations to facilitate manual fertiliser application.

Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara) - Site clearance grant up to €1500/ha and replanting grants up to €5000/ha

Further Information:Visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry for contact details of your local Teagasc Forestry Adviser as well as up-to-date and detailed information on forestry grant schemes, contact details for Registered Foresters, and much more. See also www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice

Grant and Premium Categories

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Forestry Programme 2014 - 2020A orestation Premium RatesGrant and Premium Rates (GPC) Premium (€/ha/yr) Duration (years)GPC 1 - Unenclosed €185 15GPC 2 - Sitka spruce/Lodgepole pine €440 15GPC 3 – 10% Diverse €510 15

GPC 4 – Diverse €560 15GPC 5 – Broadleaf €575 15GPC 6 – Oak €615 15GPC 7 – Beech €615 15GPC 8 – Alder €575 15GPC 9 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 1-3)

€635 15

GPC 10 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 4)

€635 15

GPC 11 – Agro-forestry €260 5GPC 12a – Forestry for Fibre €180 10GPC 12b – Forestry for Fibre - Aspen €180 10

A orestation Grant RatesGrant and Premium Category (GPC) 1st Grant

€/ha2nd Grant

€/haFencing Allocation €/ha Total Available Funding

€/haIS436(120m/ha cap)

Non-IS436(100m/ha cap)

GPC 1 - Unenclosed 1575 525

Maximum €500/ha at plantation

level

350 2600

GPC 2 - Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole Pine 2310 735 350 3545GPC 3 - 10% Diverse Conifer 2360 790 350 3650GPC 4 - Diverse Conifer 2625 840 350 3965GPC 5 - Broadleaf 3780 1155 450 5435GPC 6 - Oak 3990 1260 450 5750GPC 7 - Beech 3990 1260 450 5750GPC 8 - Alder 2520 840 450 3860GPC 9 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 1-3)

3990 1260 450 5750

GPC 10 - Native Woodland Establishment (Scenario 4)

3780 1155 450 5435

GPC 11 - Agro-forestry 2960 990 450 4450GPC 12a - Forestry for Fibre 1460 490 450 2450GPC 12b - Forestry for Fibre 1245 420 450 2165

Eligibility - main points (see scheme documents for full details)• Applicants must be over 18 years of age and hold a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). Companies must provide their company registration number (CRO). • All aff orestation projects must obtain prior written approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine termed ‘Technical Approval’. A separate ‘Financial Approval’ is also required for grant aided projects before work commences. • Applicants for technical approval must be the owner, lease holder or joint manager of the land at the time of the application. (Exceptions where owner is deceased or owner consents in writing)• An application for technical approval under the Aff orestation Scheme must be made by the applicant and a Registered Forester following a site visit and assessment by the Registered Forester.• Land must remain under forestry and therefore is subject to a replanting obligation for all grant categories outlined above.

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Grant and Premium Categories- determined by the category of land planted, the tree species and area planted.

GPC 1 – Unenclosed/Unimproved land: Typically comprises of upland sites and marginal soils. Th e amount of unenclosed land in any application for fi nancial approval cannot exceed 20% of the total area.

GPC 2 – Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole Pine: Does not comply with scheme requirements in isolation and can only be approved as a component of a larger project comprising of other GPCs.

GPC 3 – 10% diverse mix: Comprises of a mix of Sitka Spruce/Lodgepole pine together with at least 10% diverse conifer (approved conifer other than SS/LP). Broadleaves adjacent to roads and watercourses may also form part of this 10%.

GPC 4 – Diverse: Acceptable conifer species, other than Sitka spruce and Lodgepole Pine

GPC 5 – Broadleaf: Acceptable broadleaf species other than Oak and Beech

GPC 6 – Oak: Pure oak, however nurse species may be planted where additional shelter is required

GPC 7 – Beech: Pure beech, however nurse species may be planted where additional shelter is required

GPC 8 – Alder: Pure Alder; up to 10% can be of other species for diversity

GPC 9 and GPC 10 – Native Woodland establishment: Th is category supports the establishment of new native woodlands on ‘green fi eld’ sites. Its focus is on native species, minimal site disturbance and long-term ‘close to nature’ management. It presents opportunities for planting in various environmentally sensitive areas eg NATURA sites. (Refer to Native Woodland Establishment Scheme Manual guidelines on native woodland types, species mixture and planting design)

GPC 11 – Agro-Forestry: ‘Silvopastoral agroforestry’, combination of forestry and pasture. Stocking rate of 400-1000 trees per ha; equally spaced with a minimum plot size of 0.5ha and tree to tree width of 20m. Acceptable species include oak, sycamore and cherry (other species considered). 80% of costs covered. Grazing by sheep or young domestic stock is permitted during spring and summer for the fi rst 6-8 years. Trees must be protected and tree shelters checked regularly. Tree shelters can then be replaced with plastic mesh and larger stock can be introduced. Silage and hay production is also permitted.

GPC 12 (a&b) – Forestry for Fibre: Th is scheme supports the growing of productive tree species to produce wood biomass yields in the region of 150-300 m3/ha over 10-15yrs. Eligible species are: Italian Alder, Hybrid Aspen, Eucalyptus and Poplar (preference to improved genetic material). Trees are planted at a minimum of 2000 plants per ha (A reduced grant rate applies for Aspen which is planted at 1,400 trees per ha). Th is scheme does not fund short rotation coppice, Christmas trees or fast growing trees (cut every 9 years).

Other Forestry Schemes:

Forest Road Scheme - A rate of €40/m to a maximum of 20m / ha is available where 50% or greater of the area is due for harvesting in the next 3 years (5 years for Joint applications). Special construction works may be funded on environmentally sensitive sites up to max of €5000 per application or 50% of costs whichever is lower. Additional funding will be available where signifi cant additional stone is required to build a bell mouth where it is at least 2m below the surface of the existing public road i.e. an additional equivalent length of 30m per entrance. Forest roads connecting to an existing forest road network in a public, state or private forest may be supported including portion of road outside property where there is agreement between owners. 1st instalment amounts to 90% of total grant while 20% of the forest must be thinned within 3 years of receiving the 1st instalment.

Woodland Improvement Scheme - €750/ha thinning and tending of broadleaves planted since 1980. A cost based grant may be available for brashing operations to facilitate manual fertiliser application.

Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara) - Site clearance grant up to €1500/ha and replanting grants up to €5000/ha

Further Information:Visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry for contact details of your local Teagasc Forestry Adviser as well as up-to-date and detailed information on forestry grant schemes, contact details for Registered Foresters, and much more. See also www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice

Grant and Premium Categories

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Overview of Teagasc Forestry Events planned for 2015

Date: Event: Venue:

January 19-30 Nationwide Series of Information Meetings presenting the new Forestry Programme 2014-2020 28 venues nationwide

February Reforestation Event Kilkenny

February Reforestation Event Clare

February Reforestation Event Kilkenny

April Broadleaf Thinning Event TBC

May 9 & 10 TIMBER 2015 Irish Forestry, Woodland & Bio Energy Show Stradbally Hall Estate, Co Laois

August 9 Tullamore Show Forestry & Energy Village Tullamore, Co Offaly

September Talking Timber Event Galway

September Talking Timber Event Wexford

September 22-24 Teagasc Forestry stand at the National Ploughing Championships Ratheniska, Co Laois

October 13 Conifer Thinning Event Kilbrin, Co Cork

November Forest Owner Groups Workshop TBC

Please visit www.teagasc.ie/forestry for up to date details.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine advises that, under the Forestry Act, 1946, it is illegal to uproot any tree over ten years old or to cut down any tree of any age (including trees which form part of a hedgerow) unless a Felling Licence has been obtained from this Department.

There are two types of licence, viz. a General Felling Licence and a Limited Felling Licence. A General Felling Licence is for normal commercial forestry operations such as large forestry plantations where management programmes are in place in respect of harvesting and replanting, or plantation thinning for silvicultural reasons. A General Felling Licence can be applied for using Form F.A.4. This form can be obtained from the Department’s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/treefelling/ or from Felling Section of the Forest Service. (See below.) General Felling Licence applications, accompanied by maps delineating the site, are sent directly to Felling Section.

A Limited Felling Licence is for cases where small areas of trees are to be removed and/or where replanting is not to take place, or is to take place at an alternative site. A Limited Felling Licence application (called a Felling Notice), accompanied by maps delineating the site, must be lodged at the Garda station nearest the felling site. This must be lodged at least 21 days before the felling is commenced. The Gardaí then pass the application to Felling Section. A Felling Notice (Form F.A.1.) may be

obtained from any Garda Station or directly from the Felling Section of the Forest Service of this Department. A copy can also be obtained on the Department’s website at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/treefelling/

Both Limited and General Felling Licence applications are forwarded to the relevant District Inspector, who examines the application and returns his report. The inspector may approve the licence immediately or, in certain environmentally sensitive cases, ask for the application to be referred to specific bodies for their observations (e.g. the National Parks and Wildlife Service, or Inland Fisheries Ireland). The Inspector may then approve the licence subject to any conditions these bodies wish to impose. It takes on average 13 weeks to issue a felling licence.

Penalties for illegal felling can be severe, ranging from fines of up to a maximum of €63.49 per tree to imprisonment for up to 2 years. In addition to any fine which may be imposed by the Court, the Minister may, by Order, require the person convicted to replant where trees were illegally felled.

For further information, please contact Felling Section, Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle, Wexford.

Telephone: (053) 9165534 / 9170338 / 9170349 / 9170371.

Further information is available from the Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford. Phone 053 9163400 or visit our website at www.agriculture.gov.ie

Legal Requirements for Tree Felling

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