“The Making of a Rye River Seasonal’

Some Spruce tips were used from one of the North East Forest Certification Club member’s forest (Martin Barrett from Athboy) to flavour a new limited edition small batch beer for the Rye River Brewing company based in Celbridge.  

Please click on the following link to learn more:  Rye River Seasonal

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Forestry

New Grants

This Grant is for forest owners who wish to convert their forest to continuous cover over a period of twelve years.

There will be three payments of €750 per hectare, for three separate interventions.  The scheme is limited to thirty projects initially.

Please click on the following link for more details Element 2, Woodland Improvement Scheme – Continuous Cover Forestry or contact your local Teagasc Forestry Advisor.

Element 2, Woodland Improvement Scheme – Continuous Cover Forestry

‘Application stage

All licence applications for afforestation, forest, road works, felling and aerial fertilisation are screened by the Department for Appropriate Assessment under Article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive and SI 477 of 2011.  Where, having reviewed the application, the Department cannot rule out the possibility of a significant effect on a Natura Site (i.e. a SAC or SPA) it will require the submission of a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) from the applicant.  On receipt of the NIS, the Department will carry out an Appropriate Assessment. …’

Please click on the following link for the full circular:  Circular 08 2019 Appropriate Assessment.pdf

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Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Appropriate Assessment

Circular dated 23 May 2019

Please click on the following link for ‘Appendix 20’ referred to in the above Circular: 

ForestryStandManNov15050116_NIS_section_appendix.pdf

‘At the conference ‘Our Forests, Our Future’, Commissioner Hogan announced a potential initiative to encourage Member States to reach the ambitious environmental policy objectives of the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposals.  The initiative proposes to reward farmers with payments for the afforestation of one hectare.

In his keynote speech, Commissioner Hogan announced the idea of a “one hectare initiative”, which would be supported through the CAP.  Under their future CAP Strategic Plans, Member States will have the option to reward farmers with payments per farm for the afforestation of one hectare.  This afforestation should be done in a biodiversity-friendly way, contributing to climate and environmental objectives.

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This initiative can be programmed through Rural Development Funding and could help Member States to meet their climate and biodiversity objectives.  It would be another practical example of farmers providing public goods with public support.  In order to limit the administrative burden for beneficiaries and public authorities, a lump-sum payment per year and per hectare could be offered to each participating farmer over the next budget period.

Such an initiative could significantly contribute to the creation of valuable ecosystem services, such as water retention and flood and soil erosion control.  It would also provide significant biodiversity benefits, such as shelter and connectivity.

Commissioner Hogan encouraged Member States to take up this initiative, as it would contribute to the achievement of environmental targets and help safeguard our public goods, including forests.  He said…

“The future CAP provides the opportunity, but the political will to implement this initiative must come from the Member States.  Hence, I hope you will spread the word.”’

‘One Hectare Initiative’

Commissioner Hogan announced a potential initiative at Forestry Conference

McKinnon Report

The McKinnon Report, which was released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a review on the current state of Irish Forestry.

It makes very interesting reading, as it addresses some of the fundamental difficulties which are affecting private forest owners who are wishing to do necessary work on their existing plantations.

Committee Members of your Group (The North East Forestry Group) attended some of the consultation meetings with Mr James McKinnon, along with other forest group representatives.

We will discuss these findings and other matters at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the new year.

Please click on the following link for the report:  McKinnon Report

1. Survey on small woodlands on diary and drystock farms

2. Hardwood Focus Webinar

3. Autumn management tips

4. Keep in touch!’