Farmers on carbon rich soils should be rewarded under CAP for carbon sequestration rather than punished, according to the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA).

INHFA spokesperson Gerry Loftus insisted current CAP proposals for the protection of wetlands and peatlands should not become another designation. Loftus said land designations implemented over 20 years ago remained a major issue for many farmers.

Farmers on designated land were “sold out despite having pristine habitats that are critically important for our flora and fauna”, Loftus said.

No proper payment was ever put in place for the costs incurred by farmers as a results of the designations, according to Loftus.

For some he stated: “The designations undermined their farming activity and left them vulnerable under land eligibility inspections”.

SAC and SPA

Loftus said under current Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA) designations there are a number of restrictions. Permission is required for activities such as fencing, draining, changing the type of stock or stocking levels, mulching and topping.

Current Pillar 1 proposals for the next CAP target appropriate protection of wetlands and peatlands.

This proposal Loftus stated: “Will impose major restrictions and further compliance measures on many of our farmers for no extra income and is not acceptable as a Pillar 1 measure."

It would also “undermine any payment under the Ecoscheme and any agri-environmental Scheme in Pillar 2”.

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Carbon rich soils should be rewarded not punished – INHFA

INHFA's Gerry Loftus said some designations undermined farming activity and this should not be allowed happen to wetlands and peatlands in the next CAP.