Minister with responsibility for forestry Andrew Doyle has announced that a series of clinics will be opened to help forestry owners with the move to online payment applications.

The move to an online application system was announced earlier this year with completed applications due in January next year.

“I am delighted to announce that the online application system for 2020 Forestry Premiums will be open for use from 20 November with applications due to be paid in early January 2020,” Minister Doyle said.

“This allows forest owner to apply for their forestry premium for the coming year in advance.”

Forestry licences

There has been a separate issue in the forestry community with the approval of felling licences.

The issue is still ongoing but the minister has said he is “fully aware of the delays in the issuing of licences for afforestation and felling.

“This has caused some disappointment to forest owners, many of whom I have met recently. I want to take this opportunity to provide an update on the ongoing work to reform the processes to ensure that this temporary disruption is resolved as quickly as possible.

“I also want to reassure landowners that every effort is being made to improve on the delivery of licences to bring them back into line with the expected time lines for delivery of these,” he said.