Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister has announced the 2024 Small
Woodland Grant Scheme is now open for applications.
This grant will support landowners to create new native woodland
that will provide a range of ecosystem services and benefits for
people including contributing to mitigating the impacts of
climate change.
The scheme provides up to £6,425 per hectare for establishment
costs and annual premia over a 10 year period. The scheme also
provides support for new stock fencing, where required, to
protect newly planted woodlands from livestock.
Minister Muir said: “I am pleased to announce that
the Small Woodland Grant Scheme is open for applications through
DAERA's online services. This scheme supports landowners to
incorporate new native woodlands and enhance the characteristics
of their holdings. Through the scheme farmers and other land
owners can contribute to increasing the area of forests and
woodlands in the forthcoming planting season.”
“Increasing the area of forests and woodlands is a key
focus for the Department. Not only is planting new
woodlands widely recognised as having an important role in
mitigating the impacts of climate change and helping us meet our
net zero targets but it also enhances the landscape and
environment, creates new habitats and supports farm business
sustainability”.
The Minister continued: “Woodland creation, and in
particular riparian woodland, is an important nature-based
solution that can protect and improve our water quality and help
address the problems we see at Lough
Neagh. I encourage landowners to avail of this grant as we
work to increase woodland cover.”
Further information is available from the https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/daera-forestry-grants.
Alternatively, contact Forest Service on 028 6634 3019 or
email: grants.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk
The closing date for applications to be received is Monday 20
January 2025.
A list of Forestry Services and Suppliers that will help land
owners to contact businesses for advice can be viewed on
the https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/list-forest-service-contractors-suppliers-northern-ireland.
Notes to editors:
- The application window has opened at this time to allow
applications to be made and assessed against forestry and
environmental standards in parallel to the business case gaining
the necessary approvals to issue letters of offer for planting in
the upcoming planting season.
- Annual premium payments are payable over a 10-year period
where eligible farm businesses convert land previously in
agricultural use.
- Land that was eligible and on which Single Farm Payment (SFP)
was paid in respect of the 2008 scheme year and is subsequently
converted to forestry under an EU scheme remains eligible for the
duration of the Forestry Scheme.
