Thu, 6th Dec, 2012
McEntee welcomes the 2013 Budget Provision for Forestry, Horticulture and Greyhound Sectors
Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for the forestry, horticulture and greyhound sectors has today welcomed the allocation of almost €116 million for the 2013 forestry programme, €11 million for Bord na gCon and €3.5 million for the Commercial Horticulture sector.
Forestry
Welcoming the unchanged allocation for the forestry programme for 2013, the Minister of State commented, “The allocation of €116 million for the forestry programme, which encompasses afforestation grants, premium payments and support schemes such as the Forest Roads Scheme, is tangible proof of the Government’s confidence in forestry and the ability of the sector to contribute to the recovery of the economy”. He added that “it is also recognition of the ongoing efforts of people involved in the forest sector, including forest owners, producer groups, timber processors and exporters, to sustain employment, develop products and grow markets for wood and wood products. The most recent annual figures for the sector show the value of output for Wood and Wood Products at €675m, Gross Value Added at more than €180m and employment supported by the forestry sector overall being estimated by a recent study at around 5,500.” Minister of State McEntee noted that the allocation would allow the premium rates to be maintained provide and the payment for approximately 7,000 hectares of new planting which, on the basis of the planting figures in recent years, should accommodate current demand. In addition, there is continuation of funding for major programmes such as forest roads and thinning.
