New aid for the forestry sector

2.9 million euros for the forestry sector following the outbreak of African swine fever

Marche-en-Famenne, 16 November 2021 - At the beginning of October, on a proposal from Minister Céline Tellier, the Walloon Government approved additional aid for forestry companies and owners who have suffered losses as a result of the ban on forest traffic in the area infected by African swine fever. This support measure is in addition to the initial aid already granted to certain players in the forestry sector in 2019.

Farmers and owners doubly affected

In the area infected by African swine fever (PPA), forestry operators and owners not only had to deal with the ban on forest traffic, but also with the massive spread of bark beetles. After the area regained its African swine fever-free status, it became apparent that the management of the crisis had led to greater economic losses than those covered by the aid granted in 2019. This new series of measures therefore aims to cover economic losses and cost increases suffered by businesses and homeowners.

Five types of aid

The Walloon Government has released a budget of 2.9 million euros to cover five types of damage:

1. For public and private owners: economic losses resulting from a loss of value on the sale of wood lots following an increase in operating costs.
2. For public and private owners: economic losses resulting from the impossibility of carrying out forest plantations. These include clearing operations that could not be followed by planting and plantations that could not be protected or maintained.
3. For public and private owners: economic losses resulting from the interruption of a planned plantation.
4. For nurseries: financial losses caused by the destruction of plants due to surplus production.
5. For forestry operators: the increase in operating costs resulting from the obligation to disinfect their machinery following the operation of batches located in the infected area. This aid covers the downtime of machinery and personnel during disinfection operations.

Submitting applications for aid

Companies and owners in the forestry sector wishing to benefit from the aid have until 13 December 2021 to submit their application by registered post to the Office économique wallon du bois, which is responsible for checking applications. The information to be included in the application varies depending on the type of aid requested and is described in the text of theWalloon Government Order and on theWalloon Timber Economic Office. Applicants will receive notification of the admissibility of their application and the amount of aid granted within 10 working days.

Further information

A summary of the grants available and the conditions under which they are awarded is available at https://www.oewb.be/ppa.

Contacts

• Emmanuel Defays, Director: e.defays@oewb.be - 0476 48 46 98
• Bruno Nailis, PPA Compensation Project Manager: b.nailis@oewb.be - 0497 66 00 26
• Jean-Christophe Dandoy, Economist: jc.dandoy@oewb.be - 0483 85 98 85
• Eugène Bays, Watch Manager: e.bays@oewb.be - 0478 81 53 63