This article is from page 4 of the 2006-09-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
HUNDREDS of Clare farmers could soon turn to part-time forestry as they are forced out of more conventional markets.
A major national campaign, aimed at promoting forestry, was launched by Clare TD, Tony Kileen, in Ennis last Friday.
At just 10 per cent, Ireland has one of the lowest land areas covered by trees in the EU. While Clare has almost 15 per cent cover, it is also one of the counties with the greatest potential to increase planting.
“The fact that the full cost of planting is covered by grants, that farmers can plant up to half their lands and still retain their full Single Payment Entitlements, and the availability of grants to cover pruning, shaping and forest roads during the growing cycle as well as tax-free premiums of up to €499 per hectare makes forestry a very viable alternative land use option,” said Minister Killeen.
Presently, there are more than 62,000 acres of private forestry owned by 1,107 farmers and landowners in the county.
“Because forestry has the lowest labour requirement of all farm enterprises, it is ideal for the growing number of part-time farmers in Clare who are trying to combine farm work with a busy off-farm job,” said Ray Gallagher of the Irish Forest Industry Chain (IFIC).
The campaign is a joint initiative between the IFIC and the Department of Agriculture and is aimed in particular at low-income drystock farmers as well as farmers who have lower than average Single Farm Payment entitlements.
Meanwhile, the first industrial wood chip boiler in Clare is expected to be installed before the end of this year. This project, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, is jointly managed by the Clare LEADER company and Teagasc and aims to develop a market for wood energy from thinnings from farm forests in the county.
Tenders have been received for wood chip boilers and energy supply contracts in five locations around the county. These projects include a manufacturing plant, hotel, school, nursing home and leisure centre, while a decision on the first installation will be made over the coming weeks.
“We are at a crossroads at the moment and there are a lot of farmers who will be looking at different things in the very near future,” said Seamus Murphy, Clare IFA President.
“There is great value in it from the energy point of view. There is not a market in Clare at the moment but we have to create a market.”