SA. 39783 (2014/N) – IRL Afforestation and Creation of Woodlands
The total budget for the scheme is 199,486,744 EUR.
The beneficiaries of the Programme are both public and private actors, including SMEs and large companies. A total estimate of up to 25,000 beneficiaries will apply for the Programme.
The scheme aims to provide support for afforestation, in the form of establishment cost and 15 annual premium payments
This scheme will be primarily targeted at private land-holders.
Support will take the form of grants towards the cost of establishment and annual premiums for a period of 12 years, in order to cover the costs of agricultural income foregone and maintenance
The eligible operations include ground preparation, cost of plants, planting, fertiliser, management of competing vegetation, filling-in planting, shaping of broadleaves, mapping, fencing and tree protection, establishment of firebreaks,
management and supervision and other related operations deemed appropriate by the Forest Service.
The land will remain under forestry indefinitely and therefore is subject to a re-planting obligation.
Native Woodland Establishment Scheme
The aim of Native Woodland Establishment Scheme is to support the establishment of new native woodlands on ‘green field’ sites, providing opportunities to protect and expand Ireland’s native woodland resource and its associated biodiversity.
The scheme provides financial support for farmers and other landholders.
Support will take the form of grants towards the cost of establishment and annual premiums for a period of 12 years, in order to cover the costs of agricultural income foregone and maintenance.
The inappropriate afforestation of sensitive habitats such as peat lands and wetlands will be avoided, as well as the negative effects on areas of high ecological value including areas under high natural value farming
The aid application for the schemes under this Programme will include the applicant’s name and the size of the undertaking, a description of the project or activity, including its location and start and end dates, the amount of aid needed to carry it out and the eligible costs. In the case of large companies, a counterfactual scenario will be provided and a credibility check performed.
In accordance with point 505 of the Guidelines, aid may be granted to public and private land-holders and their associations. This measure will be primarily targeted at private land-holders.
In the case of state-owned land, aid may be granted if the body managing such land is a private body or municipality in
accordance with point 506 of the Guidelines* (*Part II, Chapter 2 of the European Union Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas 2014 to 2020 10 (hereinafter “the Guidelines”)
signed off by
For the Commission
Phil HOGAN
Member of the Commission