In response to a recent spate of uncontrolled burning incidents in Co Cork and Co Kerry, the Department of Agriculture has warned farmers and other landowners that the burning of land is unlawful at this time of year under current legislation.

Despite promises by the Government to ease the cut-off point, restrictions on hedge-cutting and burning came into effect on 1 March and will last until 31 August 2016.

Satellite based detection and assessment is now underway in the recently affected areas. In addition, further inspections may be conducted on lands where fire incidents have been detected since 1 March, the Department said.

Current fire behaviour has been described as moderate, but there is a strong possibility of further and potentially higher fire risk conditions emerging again next month, as spring weather conditions improve and temperatures increase.

The Department reiterated previous warnings that land which is found to have been burned outside of the legal season can be considered ineligible for payment under Department schemes, including Basic Payment Scheme, GLAS and other area based schemes.

Inherent safety risks

The Department is warning farmers and other land owners of the inherent safety risks associated with uncontrolled burning.

"These include the threat to neighbour’s homes, livelihoods and critical infrastructure in rural areas, and the impacts on the safety and wellbeing of elderly and infirm people living in areas affected by smoke.

"The diversion of emergency service resources in such areas can have grave consequences in the event they are required for more life threatening emergency incidents elsewhere," the Department said.

The Department calls on landowners to cooperate in fire prevention efforts and to report unattended or dangerous fires to the emergency services without delay, before they can become larger incidents that are more difficult to deal with.

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Unchanged hedge-cutting and burning restrictions now in effect