More than €2.76 million has been approved under annual forestry premiums for forestry owners in County Mayo, according to Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn.
Welcoming the confirmation of the funding from the Minister with Responsibility for Forestry, Sean Connick TD, Deputy Flynn said that the vast majority of the recipients of the payments are farmers.
“Almost €53 million is being paid to more than 11,000 forest owners throughout the country this year, with some €2,767,796 of that going to County Mayo forest owners,” Dep Flynn confirmed.
“This is the bulk payment run of the annual forestry premium under the Forestry Programme, which is payable each year for 20 years in the case of farmers and for 15 years in the case of non-farmers. The vast majority of recipients are farmers,” explained Dep Flynn.
It is estimated that the total paid out in forest premium payments will exceed €60 million by year-end. “The forestry industry is important to Mayo and to the entire country given its value for the farming community and the environment and spin off areas such as furniture and craft production, and I am glad to see the Government supporting this indigenous industry,” concluded Dep Flynn.
