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Afforestation Scheme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027 Frequently Asked Questions
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Start by getting in touch with your Teagasc advisor or independent advice, who can tell you if your land is suitable for forestry, how establishing a forest might impact other farming payments, and the various grant and premium options available.
We approve registered foresters to submit licence applications on behalf of landowners.
You can ask them to handle the planting, establishment, and management of your forest.
All paperwork at pre-planting, post-planting and at the second grant instalment stage must be submitted by a registered forester.
It is important to note that an afforestation licence is required for all new forest projects (with the exception of the Native Tree Area Scheme, where no licence is required, see scheme document for more details) where the area involved is greater than 0.1 hectares (approximately 0.25 acres).
We recommend contacting several companies to discuss your options and once satisfied, you can sign a contract with the registered forester, and retain the services of a solicitor.
Your registered forester will submit the application on your behalf. You will need decide at this stage if you want your forester to look after planting, establishing, and maintaining the forest (for the first four years) or if you wish to do it yourself.
You may need to consult an ecologist at application stage depending on the circumstances of your land.
See a list of Native Woodland Scheme Ecologists.
List of Native Woodland Scheme Ecologists July 202
Directory of Professional Ecologists for Forestry Projects
Directory of Professional Ecologists for Forestry Projects
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Planting can begin once you receive written technical approval with an afforestation licence and your forester has applied for financial approval.
Once completed, the first grant is payable to cover the costs associated with establishing the forest.
The balance is paid by way of a second grant four years after planting following successful establishment of the forest. Grant levels are dependent on tree species and soil type.
The first premium is payable once planting has been completed.
The forest owner is responsible for ensuring the forest is maintained in accordance with best forest practice.
Log on to www.agfood.ie to apply online for a forest premium.
Watch this video outlining how to complete the online application