Recent extensive wildfires throughout the country have caused significant damage to substantial areas of agricultural and forestry land.

“Officials in my Department are currently analysing a wide range of satellite imagery to identify land which was burnt illegally during the specified closed season for burning,” said Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Doyle.

“Historic satellite imagery is also being examined as part of this process. Agricultural and eligible forestry land identified as burnt illegally as part of this investigation will be deemed ineligible for payment under the 2017 Basic Payment and other area-based schemes.”

The closed season for burning is 1 March to 31 August. Farmers who have included illegally burnt land in their 2017 Basic Payment Scheme application, already submitted to the Department, should now remove this land by means of submitting an amendment form prior to the closing date for receipt of amendments– 31 May or 9 June with penalty.

Inclusion of illegally burnt land in the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme application may result in reduced payment and penalties under this scheme and the other area-based schemes, eg Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme. Where it is identified, as part of the current investigation, that lands were burnt during the closed season, this may result in such land being inspected by Department officials.

“My Department will not tolerate incidences of illegal burning of land and will take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with the conditions of the various EU-funded area-based schemes, including reducing payments and penalties where applicable,” Doyle said.

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