Scotland is outstripping Ireland when it comes to afforestation, with planting reaching a new high in 2024.
Tree planting has now to be encouraged big time and undoubtedly landowners are put off by this messy ash dieback business.
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John Reardon's 8ha ash plantation is now covered with a 2m high blanket of briars.
'Definite bias towards international funds to drive afforestation', joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food told.
Minister of State Pippa Hackett opened the Shelton Abbey Pocket Forests Native Tree Nursery, which is home to more than 2,000 native trees.
The cost of clearing infected ash plantations this year varied from €2,600/ha to €11,000/ha.
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has said that despite changes made to the Ash Dieback Scheme, it is "not workable" and called on Minister Hackett to make the scheme "workable".
Sustainability and biodiversity measures implemented in Moorepark include clover incorporation, sowing of plantain, built-in slurry aeration system, solar panels and hedgerows and grazing woodlands.
Trees have a role building mental, financial and regulatory resilience on farms, says Ray Ó Foghlú.