Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any financial support available to those farmed plantations affected by ash dieback.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: Many woodlands, despite the impact of ash dieback, can continue to develop and provide the range of benefits associated with a woodland land use. On that basis my Department continues to make annual premia payments to land owners over the course of their individual forestry grant schemes.
Woodlands that have been impacted to the extent that they need to be felled are eligible for the Woodland Investment Grant (Restocking). This supports replanting and details of the grant are available via the Department’s website.
ENDS
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