AQW 270/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 20/05/2022
Answered On Date: 09/06/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an update on the Forests for Our Future programme.

Answer:

In my reply on 1 July 2021 to your question on the same subject last year, I stated that almost 900 hectares of new woodland had been created under the Forests for Our Future programme.

There has been significant interest in both the revised Forest Expansion and the new Small Woodland Grant schemes for the 2021-22 planting season from around 280 landowners. However, I recognise that not all landowners will have taken forward their proposals to create woodland in the 2021-22 planting season for a variety of business reasons.

Grant aided woodland created in 2021-22 is subject to the 2022 SAF claim period. The actual area planted by individual landowners will be verified after the claim period closes in June, with payments issued in line with the 2022 SAF process. Forest Service has planted 15 hectares of new woodland during the 2021-22 planting season on its land, which is not subject to SAF processes.