Forestry chairman role for Tipp man
Padraig Stapleton from Upperchurch in North Tipperary has been elected chairperson of the IFA Farm Forestry Committee.
At the recent meeting of the Farm Forestry Committee, he was elected to succeed Jason Fleming.
Mr Stapleton said he looked forward to representing farmers with forestry and thanked his predecessor for his work on behalf of the forestry sector.
“The reality is that many farmers no longer view forestry as a safe investment.
“The risks associated with committing their land in perpetuity have become too great.
“New measures and a review of policy are needed to reverse the decline in afforestation; to de-risk the investment; and restore confidence while ensuring a balanced regional spread of forestry,” he said.
He said the new Ash Dieback Reconstitution Scheme is an improvement from earlier iterations of the scheme. However, further improvements are required, particularly around the clearance grant.
“Although there have been improvements in the turnaround times for licences, the conditions being attached in some instances are making operations completely unworkable.
“They are having a significant impact on costs, and therefore the viability of forests, particularly smaller farm forests,” he said.
He said he would be working with the committee to progress these issues as part of IFA’s pre-Budget process.
Residential Zoned Land Tax
IFA Farm Business Chairperson Bill O'Keeffe has called on the Government to remove all actively farmed land from the residential zoned land tax (RZLT). A motion to exempt farmland from RZLT by Fine Gael TDs, Senators and MEPs last week is positive and aligns with IFA's policy of not imposing this unfair tax on many farmers around Ireland, but it needs to be confirmed and clarity given to farmers.
Bill O’Keeffe said: “This penal tax, if implemented, could result in the forced sale of farmland, potentially undermining the livelihoods of farmers. This could happen without any consideration given to potential buyers, or the subsequent delivery of new homes, on this land.
“This annual 3% tax is due to take effect in early 2025. It’s completely unjust and must not be forced on farmers.”
The Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has it within his powers to exempt farmland from RZLT in the upcoming Budget 2025 and subsequent Finance Act.
IFA is calling on the minister to announce this exemption before Budget 2025 to alleviate the fear and anxiety felt by many farmers who have farmland that falls under residential zoning development plans.