Ash dieback compensation ‘might form part’ of budget –Hackett

Compensation for Irish farmers affected byash dieback “might form part” of the upcoming budget, according to Minister ofState with responsibility for land use and biodiversity, Pippa Hackett.

Hackettmade this statement today (Wednesday, September 20) on the Agriland livestream, in an interview with Agriland journalistAisling O’Brien, at the National Ploughing Championships.

She said“there will have to be some supports” for farmers involved in forestry who wereimpacted by ash dieback.

MinisterHackett also clarified the position of Ireland’s €1.3 billion ForestryProgramme 2023-2027, which was announced last year.

Hackett confirmed that approval was gainedfrom the European Commission and said: “The €1.3 billion covers the 20 years ofthe programme.

“So if youplant a tree today, as a farmer you will get 20 years premium and that willcover that. So that’s what the allocation is for.

“Therewere criticisms over how long the state aid was taking to get the approval.That was really in the lap of the commission.”

Due to theprocess for applying for the state aid not beginning until January 1, 2023,Hackett said “we were never going to have a programme in place straight away”.

When asked about the opening of the OrganicFarming Scheme, Minister Hackett said an “official” date has notbeen set.

“We stillhave to finalise the budgetary requirements for next year on that,” he said.

MinisterHackett said that last year, the scheme opened in October and that she wasexpecting this year for the scheme to open at “the same sort of date” and forit to remain open until “mid-December”.

“Wereally want to see all farmers come into organics, and dairy is a veryimportant part of that.

“Theorganic prices stays pretty stable over the years. If you look at the averageprice over the last ten years, it doesn’t fluctuate to same to degree as theconventional price,” she said.

“I know anumber of dairy farmers who only recently converted…but they made the changeson their farming systems, many years before they went organic.

“Theywere replacing some of those high input things, whether its fertiliser of feedwith crops they can grow themselves on their farms.”

Thetargeted area of agricultural land to be farmed organically by 2030 is 10%, andMinster Hackett was asked if she felt this was achievable to reach, with thecurrent figure standing at close to 4%.

“We mighteven surpass it…I’m absolutely confident we will,” Minster Hackett said.

Read the full article at: Ashdieback compensation 'might form part' of budget - Hackett (agriland.ie)

For more information please contact us at

www.euroforestireland.ie

www.forestryservices.ie

www.ashdieback.ie

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