DELEGATES attending the recent Trees Store Carbon Seminar, hosted jointly by AFBI and CAFRE at Loughry College, were told that Forest Service is committed to doubling the area of land under trees in Northern Ireland over the next 50 years.
This increase will help deliver numerous environmental, social and economic benefits, and importantly, help increase the amount of carbon dioxide captured from the air (carbon sequestration) and assist in reducing the impacts of climate change.
"In
order to meet this target, farmers must be persuaded of the very tangible benefits of forestry," added Stuart Morwood, Director of Woodland Development and Strategies with the Forest Service.
"Our plan is to agree a series of fixed shorter term planting targets, which will allow us meet our long term aim."
There are 86,600 hectares of forestry and woodland in Northern Ireland, two thirds of which is in public sector ownership.
The remaining one third, which accounts for a very significant proportion of the broadleaf woodland in the province, is in the possession of farmers and other private sector landowners.
Together, these woodlands provide raw material for a wood processing industry generating at least £24 million in the local economy and about 950 rural jobs.
Mr Morwood continued: "New grant rates were introduced last November, which should make forestry more attractive to farmers.
"We have increased the Woodland Grant Scheme rates for new woodland by up to 30% while payments under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme have been increased by as much as 50% to encourage new entrants.
"In addition, since January 2009, farmers converting agricultural land into woodland will not lose any of their Single Farm Payment entitlements, which is a tremendously important incentive for most farmers."
The Forest Service representative went on to confirm that Climate Change policy will be a key driver in expanding the forest area in Northern Ireland.
"The Executive at Stormont has already agreed significant reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Northern Ireland by 2025," he further explained.
"Studies have already confirmed that forestry can already offset about 12% of the Greenhouse Emissions made by agriculture in Northern Ireland. And, of course, this figure has potential to double, if we meet our long term tree planting targets.
"There is significant potential for forestry to enhance carbon sequestration in Northern Ireland, both strategically and at an individual business level."
Mr Morwood concluded: "New woodland creation is a priority for Forest Service. We are committed to taking a very proactive role so as to ensure that farmers and other private landowners are made fully aware of the many benefits that trees represent."
