4 ms·

In EU the farming subsidies pay most handsomely for trees, more than crops. Can't let them die, payout is dependent on yearly inspection. However, the soil need

by dreen 5y ago

In EU the farming subsidies pay most handsomely for trees, more than crops. Can't let them die, payout is dependent on yearly inspection. However, the soil needs to be in the bottom half of the quality scale, so most farmland out there does not qualify.

cfn 5y ago
That is true in theory but in many places the trees are planted and let to fend for themselves in the hope that a nearby weather or man-made event (such as a flood or fire) can be blamed on their demise. I have seen this happen several times and more (such as outright fraud where the trees are not planted at all).
- dreen 5y ago
  Planting trees is expensive, especially if you are registered as Organic farmer (which means more EU money too). You get more money by keeping them alive. Not planting doesnt work, you will get an inspection and no money. Maybe depends on where you live I guess.
  - cfn 5y ago
    Maybe it depends, my experience was in the South of Portugal where you get a subsidy to plant olive trees (as an example). They get the big terraforming machines out and basically destroy complete hillsides and then plant the trees protected by 30cm high plastic tubes. The only care I saw was done by a few farmers that would replant and generally remove the vegetation around them which is hard and noisy work with petrol bushcutters. I also know someone whose plantation was burned down and he got a fine and had to replant because he forgot to notify the authorities. These were the exceptions that stood out. There are thousands of hectares of destroyed and abandoned by the fraudulent ones. You can even see it from Google Earth.
CalRobert 5y ago
Are forestry subsidies better than CAP? Another problem is that it's one way, I've look at afforesting grazing land but since you can't clear the forest to revert to grazing it loses resale value.
- dreen 5y ago
  What Im talking about is part of CAP if I understand correctly. My soil is too good for trees so I cant grow them anyway.

by dreen 5y ago

cfn 5y ago

That is true in theory but in many places the trees are planted and let to fend for themselves in the hope that a nearby weather or man-made event (such as a flood or fire) can be blamed on their demise. I have seen this happen several times and more (such as outright fraud where the trees are not planted at all).

dreen 5y ago
Planting trees is expensive, especially if you are registered as Organic farmer (which means more EU money too). You get more money by keeping them alive. Not planting doesnt work, you will get an inspection and no money. Maybe depends on where you live I guess.
- cfn 5y ago
  Maybe it depends, my experience was in the South of Portugal where you get a subsidy to plant olive trees (as an example). They get the big terraforming machines out and basically destroy complete hillsides and then plant the trees protected by 30cm high plastic tubes. The only care I saw was done by a few farmers that would replant and generally remove the vegetation around them which is hard and noisy work with petrol bushcutters. I also know someone whose plantation was burned down and he got a fine and had to replant because he forgot to notify the authorities. These were the exceptions that stood out. There are thousands of hectares of destroyed and abandoned by the fraudulent ones. You can even see it from Google Earth.

CalRobert 5y ago

Are forestry subsidies better than CAP? Another problem is that it's one way, I've look at afforesting grazing land but since you can't clear the forest to revert to grazing it loses resale value.

dreen 5y ago
What Im talking about is part of CAP if I understand correctly. My soil is too good for trees so I cant grow them anyway.