The fire that still rages on in Cloosh Valley, Co Galway, will have enormous consequences, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio this morning, he highlighted the financial, wildlife and pollution costs as a result of the fire and said that people should be extremely careful.
“The cost for Coillte will be many millions of euros.”
The Minister said he has not been to see the fire in Galway and thanked all those involved in attempting to bring it under control.
He said the fire was the result of a prolonged dry period, coupled with high winds and illegal burning.
Tracking
“I want to reiterate the point that burning at this time of year is an illegal activity.”
With an increase in the number of fires over the last number of weeks, the Minister reminded farmers that the Department of Agriculture has a satellite-based system in place which can be used to detect fire hotspots and can be used if a farmer is found to be in breach of burning vegetation.
“The Department of Agriculture has tracking data on this and there has been hundreds of incidences of these fires in the last number of weeks. Most have been of a minor nature.”
Prosecutions
In recent years, 11 prosecutions have been taken by the State against those found to be burning illegally.
Minister Creed said that of this number, nine people have been successfully convicted.
“The sanction for a first offence is €1,000 and a subsequent offence is €5,000"
He said that there is also legislation going through the Seanad at the moment which, if passed, will see the first offence fine be increased up to €5,000.
Despite the cost of the damage caused in Cloosh Valley, the Minister said that he is satisfied with the current penalty system in place for illegal burning.
“Illegal acts such as this one are rare and it will have enormous consequences.”
Responsibility
Most landowners are responsible and controlled burning is allowed once the local authorities have been notified, he said.
“In the context of forestry, the biggest investors in forestry are farmers. If they’re burning in an illegal fashion, they’re burning that investment.”
Minister Creed reiterated the point he made earlier this week to farmers with regards to burned land and its eligibility for basic payment.
Earlier this week, he said that where land has been burned, it is not generally eligible for basic payment, except when burning was conducted in full compliance of legal requirements.
Heritage Bill
“There is a proposal before the Oireachtas to extend the controlled burning period. Farmers have to notify the gardaí, fire authorities and local landowners [if they plan on burning in the current control period] and it is only permitted in certain circumstances.
“This proposal will bring us in line with neighbouring jurisdictions. In the absence of permitted controlled burning, it appears that people are illegal burning and not notifying the gardaí or fire services.”
Thinking of burning? The Department is watching you from the sky
Illegal burning penalties warning as wildfires rage on
The fire that still rages on in Cloosh Valley, Co Galway, will have enormous consequences, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio this morning, he highlighted the financial, wildlife and pollution costs as a result of the fire and said that people should be extremely careful.
“The cost for Coillte will be many millions of euros.”
The Minister said he has not been to see the fire in Galway and thanked all those involved in attempting to bring it under control.
He said the fire was the result of a prolonged dry period, coupled with high winds and illegal burning.
Tracking
“I want to reiterate the point that burning at this time of year is an illegal activity.”
With an increase in the number of fires over the last number of weeks, the Minister reminded farmers that the Department of Agriculture has a satellite-based system in place which can be used to detect fire hotspots and can be used if a farmer is found to be in breach of burning vegetation.
“The Department of Agriculture has tracking data on this and there has been hundreds of incidences of these fires in the last number of weeks. Most have been of a minor nature.”
Prosecutions
In recent years, 11 prosecutions have been taken by the State against those found to be burning illegally.
Minister Creed said that of this number, nine people have been successfully convicted.
“The sanction for a first offence is €1,000 and a subsequent offence is €5,000"
He said that there is also legislation going through the Seanad at the moment which, if passed, will see the first offence fine be increased up to €5,000.
Despite the cost of the damage caused in Cloosh Valley, the Minister said that he is satisfied with the current penalty system in place for illegal burning.
“Illegal acts such as this one are rare and it will have enormous consequences.”
Responsibility
Most landowners are responsible and controlled burning is allowed once the local authorities have been notified, he said.
“In the context of forestry, the biggest investors in forestry are farmers. If they’re burning in an illegal fashion, they’re burning that investment.”
Minister Creed reiterated the point he made earlier this week to farmers with regards to burned land and its eligibility for basic payment.
Earlier this week, he said that where land has been burned, it is not generally eligible for basic payment, except when burning was conducted in full compliance of legal requirements.
Heritage Bill
“There is a proposal before the Oireachtas to extend the controlled burning period. Farmers have to notify the gardaí, fire authorities and local landowners [if they plan on burning in the current control period] and it is only permitted in certain circumstances.
“This proposal will bring us in line with neighbouring jurisdictions. In the absence of permitted controlled burning, it appears that people are illegal burning and not notifying the gardaí or fire services.”
Thinking of burning? The Department is watching you from the sky
Illegal burning penalties warning as wildfires rage on
SHARING OPTIONS