Welcome for opening of 2026/27 Forestry Expansion Scheme
Premier Woodlands’ managing director, John Hetherington, has welcomed the delayed opening of the Forestry Expansion Scheme (FES) for the 2026/27 tree planting season.
The availability of the support measure follows a recent review of the strategic priorities for Northern Ireland’s forestry and woodland sectors, within which the need to further expand tree cover levels was identified as an over-arching priority.
FES supports new woodland planting of 3 hectares and larger. All woodlands that comply with the UK Forestry Standard are eligible for the scheme
Successful applicants can receive up to 100% of eligible establishment costs for the first 5 years.
In addition, annual premia of £469/ha is available each year for 10 years.
John Hetherington commented: “The new annual payments will prove particularly attractive to farmers and landowners in the Less Favoured Areas. Single Farm Payment eligibility will also be maintained on all agricultural land planted out.”
He continued: “The closing date for applications is Monday October 19th. It is to be hoped that Forest Service will push ahead with the subsequent ratification process as quickly as possible so that the maximum possible amount of planting work can be carried out during the 2026/27 season.
“It should take no more than six to eight weeks for Forest Service to have the required adjudication processes established and the follow-on site visits undertaken in an orderly fashion.”
The Premier Woodlands’ representative flagged-up two important reasons why Forest Service should address the FES administration process in a speedy manner.
He said: “The first relates to the very obvious benefit of providing applicants with as full a planting season as possible to get on with the establishment work, where the creation of a new woodland is concerned.
“The second and equally important matter centres on the availability of suitable native seed origin tree stocks.
“The outworking of Brexit is having a very direct and negative impact on the availability of young trees from nurseries in other parts of the UK.
“We have traditionally sourced trees of the correct quality from suppliers in GB.
“European nurseries cannot supply young trees of the seed origin that we want. As a consequence, it is critically important for the future of the entire forestry sector in Northern Ireland that ways are found of making the importation of young trees from GB much more feasible.”
FES encourages the creation of new forest blocks of at least 3 hectares and larger. One main benefit delivered under the scheme is to increase carbon capture (sequestration) and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Secondary benefits from the scheme include: the production of timber and wood for processing including material for renewable energy systems; improved biodiversity; improved water quality and public amenity value.
John Hetherington concluded: “The members of the Premier Woodlands’ team are available to advise on how best to develop and submit a FES application. This includes an initial site inspection and the completion of the required woodland creation plan.”
For further inquiries, contact the Premier Woodlands’ office on: 028 7963 4236