Green Belt Brochure

Newcastle WestGlentiesSligo VirginiaBoyle LongfordWest CorkThurlesClonmelEnnisLimerickKillarneyKilkennyBirrGortNavanMacroomNewcastle WestGlentiesSligoVirginiaBoyleLongfordWest CorkThurlesClonmelEnnisLimerickKillarneyKilkennyBirrGortNavanMacroomHow can I get moreinformation aboutfarmer forestrythrough Green Belt?Green Belt Ltd.Virginia,Co. Cavan.Phone: 049 - 854 8000Fax: 049 - 854 7509Email: info@greenbelt.ieWeb: www.greenbelt.ieFreephone: 1800 200 233 Green Belt is Ireland's largestprivate forestry company operatingcountrywide. Green Belt has 18professional foresters who arequalified to advise on all aspects offorestry and carry out work to thehighest standards backed up by acompany with a reputation forquality and consistency.Mossie Ryan & Tim O’BrienFounders of Green Belt Limited.REGION CONTACT NUMBERNorth Hugo McCormick, Virginia 049 8548 000086 259 2651Paddy Gallagher, Glenties 086 258 8057P.J. Linnane, Sligo 086 252 8442Joe Tansey, Boyle 086 2599 190South Seamus Gavigan, Clonmel 086 258 8710Dermot Fenton, Limerick 087 967 8779Gerard Moroney, Killarney 086 838 0915Thomas Fogarty, Thurles 086 835 6095Alan Farrelly, West Cork 087 277 6233Ian Fitzpatrick, Macroom 086 259 3130Tom Doody, Newcastlewest 087 8140 887East Gerard Dunne, Navan 086 601 2200Seamus Hagan, Longford 086 252 6367Pearse Gath, Birr 086 812 9917Manus Crowley, Kilkenny 086 259 4369West John Paul Fahy, Gort 086 254 3974Mick Barry, Clare 086 254 5602Michael Moroney, Clare 087 329 1068Office John O'Reilly, Virginia 049 854 8000Chief Executive 086 254 3676Mossie Ryan, Virginia 049 854 8000Managing Director 086 258 8285The Green Belt Guide To Farmer Forestryin IrelandThe Green Belt Guide To Farmer Forestryin IrelandForestry for now & the FutureIreland has the most suitable climaticconditions and some of the mostsuitable land in Europe for growing trees.The curious thing however is thatcompared to our European neighbourswe have an extremely low percentageforest cover (amongst the lowest in theE.U.).Of even more significance is the fact thatwood imports into the E.U. is second onlyto oil and this is a cause of seriousconcern as the global race to controllimited natural resources heats up.In Ireland these concerns have led to aconcerted effort by Government toincrease our % forest cover which willfacilitate increased carbonsequestration, reduce timber imports,increase the supply of indigenous timber,add value by processing timber at home,create employment and allow us becomea net exporter rather than importer oftimber.Accordingly an attractive package offinancial incentives is currently availableto landowners to insensitive them toincorporate forestry as part of theirfarming enterprise.These long term and attractive supportstructures for farm forestry haveencouraged many Irish farmers to reviewthe exciting potential returns availablefrom forestry not least the concept ofearning a tax free income.Climate change and Greenhouse GasesAS we reach 2012 and beyond theagricultural sector in general will need toaddress its contribution to the nationalemission of Greenhouse gases.Our national herd and productiontechniques contribute significantly tothe overall production of GHO's inIreland. This has led some sectors to callfor a significant reduction in the size ofour national herd.In Green Belt's opinion agriculturalemissions should be counterbalanced byagricultural offsets and the best land usebased offset available to Irish agricultureto address the emissions of green housegases is to plant trees.In the current era of climate change weshould not underestimate the significantrole a new forest can play insequestering carbon.Who we are...Where we are...Who we are...Where we are...Green Belt A3-A4_46513 Green Belts A3-A4 13/04/2011 12:10 Page 11234Forestry as a profitablefarming enterprise for youIncome Tax Farm forestry will generate revenue, paid annually, whichis exempt from income tax. The premium rates willdepend on the species planted and classification of theland. This annual premium, exempt from income tax, ispayable for a period of up to 20 years.Generous Grants mean no capital InvestmentIn addition to the annual premium new forests are alsoeligible to receive substantial grant aid to offset the costsof establishing the plantation. In most cases the plantinggrant covers all the establishment costs thus reducing theoverall capital expenditure required to run your farm.These planting grants are paid in two installments. Threequarters of the grant is paid when the plantation isestablished and the balance is paid after four years ofmaintenance following inspection and approval by theForest Service,Tax Free Capital GrowthYour forest will appreciate in value annually. By the timethe forest reaches its 16th year it will be ready for firstthinning. Timber removed from a first thinning is used forfencing stakes, pulp or woodchip. From year 16 onwardsthinnings become more valuable as the uses for thetimber harvested become more variable and as the treesmature and increase in girth. A well managed crop of Silka Spruce should be ready for clearfell after 30-35 years,depending on the site, and at today's prices should yield areturn of over €8,000 per acre (excluding the land). Longerterm broadleaves should yield considerably more.FEPSFEPS is a recently introduced scheme where a landownercan receive their REPS payment with their forestrypremium payment on the same area of ground. This canlead to payments of up to €248/Acre, tax free. To attainthe FEPS payment you must be in a current REPS scheme.Forestry & Single Payment SchemeWith effect from January 1, 2009, land afforested willcontinue to be eligible to draw down the Single PaymentScheme (SPS) provided that the land meets the followingrequirements; the land to be afforested must have beendeclared on a 2008 SPS application from: the applicantwho declared that land on a 2008 SPS application formwas paid under the 2008 SPS; the land to be afforestedwas eligible to draw down an SPS payment in 2008.Accordingly land that gave rise to a payment under the2008 SPS, and that has been afforested post 2009, willcontinue to be eligible land for the SPS post 2009 andsubsequent years.You do not therefore need to apply for consolidation inthese circumstances. Applicants should be aware that inorder to continue to be eligible for SFP, they must continueto be eligible as a farmer.GREEN BELTS COMMITMENT TO EXPANSIONImperative Energy www.imperativeenergy.comGreen Belt set up Imperative Energy in 2007 to convertchipped residue and first thinnings from Irish forests intothermal and electrical energy. This provides an outlet forsmall dimensional timber from Green Belt managedforests. Commercial Renewable Energy projects utilizingforest material have already been developed in Ireland,Northern Ireland and in the UK.Green Belt Panama:Green Belt has brought an international dimension toforestry investment with the establishment of high-valuetropical hardwood plantations in Panama, over the pastfour years. Investors have the opportunity to buy shares inspecial-purpose companies designed to purchase andestablish these teak plantations. Green Belt manages1,630 acres of teak in Panama, and has facilitated theinvestment of €5.3 million into tropical hardwoods. "Ourinvestment principle is to combine the production of highvalue tropical hardwood with low input costs plus a secureland registry system to yield excellent returns."Irish Woodchipping Services:Green Belt set up Irish Woodchipping Services in 2008. Thecompany currently own two Jenz chippers capable ofchipping up to 65t/hour combined. Irish Wood chippingService chip on contract and also buy. chip and sell forestmaterial from the forest estate.Some facts about Green Beltyou should know...12Green Belt, Ireland's largest private forestry company wasestablished in 1982 by Tim O' Brien and Mossie Ryan, bothqualified and experienced foresters. Overtime Green Belthas experienced substantial growth and currently ranks asthe largest and most progressive private forestry companyin this country managing in excess of 225,000 planted acres.Green Belt manages forestry plantations for all the mainPension Funds in Ireland along with many corporateinvestors. As well as doing the bulk of private planting forfanners, Green Belt also purchase land for an increasingnumber of farmers who wish to invest in forestry.Four year management contractGreen Belt has developed a 4 year management contractwhich is specifically designed for farmers. The company willundertake to establish a forest for the farmer utilizing theplanting grants available from the Forest Service. Thiscontract relieves you of all the risks in establishing yourplantation and leaves you free to concentrate on your mainfarming activities. Farmers who plant in association withGreen Belt have the convenience and security which thiscontract offers.Every attention to detail is guaranteed thus ensuring theplantation reaches the approved standard required toattract the appropriate grant The contract includes:• Fencing of the planted area• Preparation of the ground• Draining of land• Supply and planting of trees• Fertilizing• Vegetation Control• Pest controlIn addition, Green Belt will undertake to sell any forest itestablishes at any time if required to one of its many Irishand foreign investors.Green Belt employs a nationwide team of 18 qualifiedforesters. You will find a Green Belt forester in your areaqualified to advise you on all aspects of farm forestry. In addition, Green Belts sub contractors employ almost 400during the planting season. Our company is proud of its levelof direct contact with farmers. Simply call the Green BeltHead Office in Virginia, Co. Cavan and we will put you intouch with our local professional forester who can answerall queries relating to forestry and also calculate the annualpremium available on your land.Standards of ExcellenceGreen Belt currently manages a vast area of woodlandthroughout Ireland. The sustained growth of the companyhas not been achieved overnight. The management andforesters of Green Belt believe strongly in the value of agood reputation.Many Irish farmers will attest to the Green Belt. reputationfor excellence in forestry management. Green Belt insists oncarrying out development work to the highest standards.We use only the finest quality materials and employ themost dedicated and qualified foresters in the country. Asevery fanner knows, the establishment and management ofany crop dictate the end result.Put quality in - get quality out.CONIFERSBROADLEAVESLAND / SPECIES CLASSIFICATION PER ACRE PER HAGPC 1 UNENCLOSED h63 h155GPC 3 10% Diverse h173 h427GPC 4 Diverse h184 h454GPC 5 Ash / Sycamore h195 h481GPC 6 & 7 Oak / Beech h208 h515GPC 8 Alder h195 h481New Afforestation PREMIUMSUp to h208 per acre per yearTAX FREE for 20 years - New Forest Premiums for FarmersForest Premiums for Non - Farmers - per acre for 15 yearsConifers h73 Unenclosed h51 Broadleaves h79Premiums have been rounded to the nearest h345Green Belt A3-A4_46513 Green Belts A3-A4 13/04/2011 12:10 Page 3