Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
267. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures which are being taken to ensure forestry is recognised as an integral component of whole-farm planning under the Common Agricultural Policy and future land-use strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44820/26]
View answerIn the development of the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan and the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 all areas of my Department worked closely together to ensure that measures were developed which related to tree planting and promoted integration of tree planting and forestry on farms:
• The Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 pays farmers 33% more in annual premium payments than other landowners.
• The Afforestation Scheme also offers an agroforestry option for farmers that allows land parcels declared as agroforestry on a BISS application to qualify for an Organic Farming Scheme payment.
• The Native Tree Area Scheme facilitates small scale planting of native tree and is aimed at re-engaging farmers with afforestation. Only land that has been used for agricultural purposes is eligible for consideration.
• Newly planted forestry continues to qualify for the new Basic Income Support for Sustainability Payment (BISS), subject to the underlying eligibility rules for BISS and may also be eligible for an Eco-scheme per hectare payment.
• Tree planting actions were included in both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the CAP Strategic Plan.
• If an applicant for ACRES is a participant in the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme or Agroforestry, they may be eligible for Tier 2 priority entry.
A national public consultation on the CAP post-2027 proposals has recently been undertaken by my Department.
Deliberative dialogues on the development of the next Forestry Programme 2028–2032, involving stakeholder, landowner and public are underway to explore the most efficient mechanisms to support further integration of forestry as part of a diverse land holding and farm enterprise.
I am confident that any future Forestry Programme will continue to provide generous incentives for farmers and other landowners, particularly offering farm families an opportunity to increase and diversify their income streams while remaining complementary to CAP.
