The Irish Government has announced the opening of the Native Tree Area Scheme under Ireland’s new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme.

The scheme has been designed to avoid or minimise potential impacts from the outset by using available information and applying pre-emptive measures.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, said: "I am delighted to announce the opening of the Native Tree Area Scheme today here at Avondale House, the home of Irish forestry. This scheme will allow farmers to plant up to a hectare of native woodland without the need for a licence, or up to two hectares if they have a suitable watercourse along which to plant a riparian small-scale native woodland. This is something I have worked hard to introduce as part of the new Forestry Programme, and it will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to incentivise small-scale tree-planting to help to re-engage farmers with forestry. Key to the success of increasing afforestation rates is to build confidence among farmers of the benefits of forestry as a viable option to complement their existing farm enterprises."

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In line with the provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry Act 2022, the Department has provided for the scheme by Regulation. This was signed into law on the 28 September 2023.

The Minister confirmed that two options will be available to applicants:

• NTA One - Creation of Small Native Forests

• NTA Two - Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection

Farmers and non-farmers are entitled to support under the scheme. The extent of the area that can be created under this Scheme is limited to two hectares per farm holding for the duration of the scheme.

The support will be paid through an establishment grant and annual premium payments over a ten year period. A total of €22,060 per hectare will be provided to NTA One and €22,840 per hectare for NTA two.

Eligible criteria are incorporated into the scheme to ensure that all tree planting works are undertaken in a legally compliant and sustainable manner.

Senator Pippa Hackett stated: "A scheme eligibility map has been prepared, detailing the location of approximately 3.1 million hectares of land that will be eligible to join the scheme. Not all agricultural land was deemed to be eligible for the NTAS due to the land not being suited to native forest establishment (such as areas at high elevation) or the presence of environmental sensitivities (such as NATURA 2000 designated areas). If someone who is interested in the Native Tree Area Scheme finds that their land isn’t eligible for tree planting without a licence, I would encourage them to talk to Teagasc or their registered forester about the options that are open to them through the Forestry Programme under the normal licensing process."

Speaking of the design of the Native Tree Area Scheme, the Minister said: "This scheme has been designed to have a straightforward approval process, which means that it is now open for new native forests to be planted before the end of 2023 under this scheme. I look forward to significant take-up on farms across the country over the coming months."