County Clare, 20th February 08 - Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen today welcomed the announcement, by his colleague Ms. Mary Wallace, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for forestry, of a number of significant changes to the Forest Environment Protection Scheme (FEPS).
Minister of State Wallace introduced the FEPS Scheme, on a pilot basis, in early 2007 to provide an attractive option for farmers looking at Forestry. FEPS offered an additional premium, to the existing 100% planting grant and yearly premium payments available under the Afforestation Scheme, of up to EUR200 per hectare for five years depending on farm size. The Scheme was targeted at participants in REPS and was designed to encourage farmers to establish and maintain high nature-value forestry through a number of different measures, particularly in the area of enhanced bio-diversity and water quality protection. All forestry payments are tax-free and providing less than 50% of a farm is planted, will not affect a farmer�s single payment entitlements.FEPS is now being rolled out with major changes, including a reduction in the minimum size to 5 hectares for farms with 30 hectares or less and, in relation to bigger farms, to dispense with the sliding scale and pay a flat rate premium of EUR200 per hectare, for planted areas of 8 hectares or more, irrespective of farm size. �This is good news for both small and larger REPS farmers with enhanced incentives in all categories�, explained Tony Killeen.He continued, �Clare farmers that plant 8 hectares or more will now receive a FEPS premium of EUR200 for each hectare of woodland planted, regardless of farm size. For owners of farms of 30 hectares and less, the minimum plantation size has been reduced to 5 hectares. In this case the FEPS payment will be EUR150 per hectare. The FEPS premium is payable in addition to the existing Afforestation Scheme grants and premium available meaning that a farmer planting 8 hectares could, for the duration of FEPS, earn an annual tax-free forestry premium of up to EUR6,000 without affecting his/her Single Payment.�Minister Killeen congratulated Minister of State Wallace on addressing issues that had arisen during the pilot phase of the scheme in 2007. Previously, the minimum area that could be planted was 8 hectares and there was a reducing payment system.He added, �This is a major development in the forestry schemes and it should be particularly suitable for farmers in this area. It also fulfils a commitment given in the Programme for Government to fully roll out this scheme following the pilot stage. It clearly shows the Government�s commitment to forestry and the benefits it can bring not alone to farmers but the whole country in the areas of climate change, rural development and agri-environment.�Minister Killeen explained that the changes to FEPS come into force immediately.�I would urge all farmers, both those already in REPS and those considering entering REPS, to contact a forestry adviser as soon as possible to explore their forestry options and to see how it could complement their existing farm enterprises and provide a welcome steady stream of additional income�, he concluded.-ENDS-Notes to Editor:- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment Heritage and Local Government and Communication Energy and Natural Resources with special responsibility for Environment and Energy, is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or
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