The Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS) encourages the creation of new forestry on farms and agricultural land. It provides support by providing support through an annual premium payment to compensate for loss of agricultural income from the new use of the land for forestry.
The FWPS is part-funded by the EU under the new NI Rural Development Programme. The Regulation underpinning the Programme has placed a ceiling on FWPS payments to non-farmers (i.e. those who obtain less than 25% of their income from farming) of up to a maximum of 150 Euro per hectare (about £100). This will result in an annual payment of either £100 per hectare or £60 per hectare, depending on the land category.
In previous years the Department has been allowed by the EU to supplement the annual premium for non farming applicants, to ensure that all applicants received the same level of FWPS annual payment, irrespective of income from agriculture. However, new EU rules no longer permit the use of state aid for non-farming FWPS applicants, and also limits the amount of FWPS annual payments to 150 euro per hectare (about £100).
If you are a non-farmer, the amount payable in most instances will be significantly lower than the figure quoted in the current scheme literature; following legal advice the Department have been advised that it is legally prohibited from paying a higher rate. The Department is currently in the process of setting up an urgent meeting with the European Commission to explain the importance of attracting non-farmer applicants, to establish new woodlands and to help increase our forest cover. However, this will take some time to try and resolve, and, in the mean time, the department is obliged to make payments for FWPS on the above basis.
Further details of Forestry Grant Schemes are available by phoning Forest Service on 028 9076 5391 or through the Forest Service website
Notes to Editors:
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