Environment Bill long overdue

Changing land use policy will be at the heart of our strategic response to Global Warming.

I fully recognise the fact that agriculture does not get full recognition for the role it plays as a force for good when it comes to issues, such as carbon sequestration. Our soils and hedges have the potential to store vast tonnages of carbon. But this is only a starting point: we can add to this significantly by planting more trees. And it is in this context that local farmers and the private forestry sector can play a pivotal role in helping to make carbon neutrality become a reality in Northern Ireland. Premier Woodlands will be making this point in the strongest possible terms, courtesy of the aforementioned public consultation.

Meanwhile, there are signs that it will be a case of ‘steady as she goes’, where local forestry development policy is concerned.

Rumour has it that the current Forestry Expansion Scheme (FES), which was due to end in 2020, will be rolled over for a further three years. I sense that the underspend from the existing measure will be used to pump prime this initiative.

Potentially, this is good news for the private forestry sector in Northern Ireland, provided that Forest Service uses this opportunity to push ahead with a much needed commitment to increase the annual planting rates achieved here.

Recent weeks have seen Forest Service publishing letters of offer concerning FES 2020. In our own case 10 out of 12 applications have been accepted – with a number having certain conditions attached. Of the two applications not accepted, we will probably appeal one. I am not sure how other applicants have fared for this year’s scheme.

However, the problem remains that the issuing of ‘letters of offer’ represents the start of a process, which could take many weeks to complete. As a result, it could be February of next year before Premier Woodlands’ planting teams can start actual ground works. In turn, this means that 40% of the 2020/21 tree planting season has been lost to us. And, of course, all other forestry companies are affected in the same manner. One way around this problem is to have an open ended application period for the new FES extension programme.

I recognise that setting specific application periods does help to concentrate the mind. However, the benefit of taking a more flexible approach to FES moving forward is that it will allow ground works to be carried out at more suitable times of the year.

For further information, telephone Premier Woodlands on (028) 7963 4236