The poster campaign was launched by IFA national chair Jer Bergin who said that the next government must address long-standing issues surrounding land designation.
The pale sky blue poster instructs the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Birdwatch Ireland to “Keep off our Land” in large red letters, with “No designation without compensation” written in black type underneath.
Bergin said the imposition of environmental designations on farmers’ land has resulted in significant restrictions on farming activities and other developments.
“When designations were first imposed, commitments were given that compensation would be paid where farmers suffered losses,” Bergin said.
“However, in recent years ,these commitments have not been honoured.”
Bergin said the new government will have to honour the existing agreement for the implementation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and other designations, including proper consultation, a workable and truly independent appeals system and full compensation to take account of devaluation of land, where restrictions are imposed.
IFA SAC project team chair Tom Turley also spoke at the launch, saying that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme will have to be available to all farmers who have a designation imposed on their land.
Turley also accused the NPWS of not allowing remedial works to take place on rivers and turloughs, saying this has contributed to severe flooding in certain areas.
He said: “Dredging and clearing of rivers will have to take place to alleviate the problems associated with flooding. NPWS cannot be allowed to stand in the way of this.”
INHFA welcomes introduction of identification system
Meanwhile, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has welcomed the introduction of an identification system by the Department that will allow staff to identify certain farmers who have specific constraints attached to their holdings. According to INHFA CAP committee chair Colm O’Donnell, the new system will allow staff to capture lower stocking restriction at parcel level.
Read more
INHFA welcomes the introduction of an identification system by the Department
Discussions on hen harrier lands
The poster campaign was launched by IFA national chair Jer Bergin who said that the next government must address long-standing issues surrounding land designation.
The pale sky blue poster instructs the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Birdwatch Ireland to “Keep off our Land” in large red letters, with “No designation without compensation” written in black type underneath.
Bergin said the imposition of environmental designations on farmers’ land has resulted in significant restrictions on farming activities and other developments.
“When designations were first imposed, commitments were given that compensation would be paid where farmers suffered losses,” Bergin said.
“However, in recent years ,these commitments have not been honoured.”
Bergin said the new government will have to honour the existing agreement for the implementation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and other designations, including proper consultation, a workable and truly independent appeals system and full compensation to take account of devaluation of land, where restrictions are imposed.
IFA SAC project team chair Tom Turley also spoke at the launch, saying that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme will have to be available to all farmers who have a designation imposed on their land.
Turley also accused the NPWS of not allowing remedial works to take place on rivers and turloughs, saying this has contributed to severe flooding in certain areas.
He said: “Dredging and clearing of rivers will have to take place to alleviate the problems associated with flooding. NPWS cannot be allowed to stand in the way of this.”
INHFA welcomes introduction of identification system
Meanwhile, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has welcomed the introduction of an identification system by the Department that will allow staff to identify certain farmers who have specific constraints attached to their holdings. According to INHFA CAP committee chair Colm O’Donnell, the new system will allow staff to capture lower stocking restriction at parcel level.
Read more
INHFA welcomes the introduction of an identification system by the Department
Discussions on hen harrier lands
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