€1.42 million in forestry payments for Mayo farmers

MINISTER of State Alan Dillon has welcomed the news that €1.42 million will be paid to Mayo farmers as part of the issuing of annual income tax-free forestry premium payments for 2026.

A total of €1,420,748.36 will be paid to Mayo farmers and landowners, supporting a combined 3,444.62 hectares of forestry across the county.

The payments form part of the national forestry premium allocation issued this week to forest owners who applied through the department’s online services portal at agfood.ie.

Said Minister Dillon: “This is a significant and very welcome investment in Mayo’s rural economy.

“Forestry continues to play an important role in supporting farm families, diversifying land use, and contributing to our climate and biodiversity goals. The €1.42 million in payments to Mayo farmers reflects the county’s strong commitment to sustainable land management and long-term forestry development.”

He added: “These annual premium payments are an important support to forest owners. Together with the grants available to assist in the establishment of new plantations, they provide a significant support to maintaining and continuing to expand Ireland’s forestry.

“I would strongly encourage landowners who might be thinking about planting trees to speak to neighbours who have already done so, and to get in touch with a registered forester or a Teagasc forestry adviser.

“The current Forestry Programme pays at the highest rates ever available to forest owners, with options ranging from small-scale native woodlands to agroforestry and continuous cover forestry.”

Forest owners who have not yet applied for their 2026 premium can still do so online at www.agfood.ie. The application facility remains open year-round, with payments continuing to issue weekly as applications are received and processed.