Fianna Fáil’s James Lawless said he will be bringing forward legislation on drones and their usage.

“Drones can present certain difficulties, and we are hearing an increased number of reports of drones causing problems for manned aircraft or infringing on people’s privacy. Some people have noticed drones seemingly surveying their farms and equipment. Given the prevalence of burglary in rural areas, it’s easy to see why this is threatening,” he said.

Consultancy firm, PWC, predicts drones have a potential market in the global agriculture industry worth $32.4bn, with drones expected to bring a number of benefits to the sector.

It is also predicted that the global commercial drone market will be worth $127bn annually by 2020.

Concerns around safety of farm details

“Drones can be a useful aid for farmers who are looking to monitor crop growth and check for the presence of pests,” Lawless said.

“The use of drones is forecast to rise considerably in the coming years, so we need to put in place safeguards to deal with aircraft safety concerns, maintain safety and protect delicate heritage sites.

“To address these concerns, I will be bringing forward legislation that will provide a stronger, more comprehensive regulatory framework for drones and their usage. This will be of considerable benefit to not only the public, but also to drone operators who are seeking guidelines on how to use their drones in a safe and ethical manner.”

In a legal query to the Irish Farmers Journal recently, one farmer expressed concern at drones flying over their yard, as drones can get details on the layout, entrances, exits and the whole plan of the farm.

The Data Protection Commissioner has issued guidance on the use of drones and advised that if drones do capture personal data from third parties, the Data Protection Acts do apply and drone operators will have to ensure that the safeguards and obligations are met.

Read more

Drone has potential use to revolutionise Irish farming

Agri-tech – moving at pace