Forestry has been recognised by the European Union as having a major role to play in the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and in the wider context of rural development. In this regard the EU have co-funded a number of programmes for private forestry, which have greatly increased the level of afforestation in the country. The two most important financial incentives for forestry are the Afforestation grant scheme and the forestry premium scheme. These schemes were introduced under EU council regulation 2080/92 and support the afforestation of agricultural land. The Forest Service of the department of Agriculture administers both schemes in Ireland.