The window for hedge-cutting and controlled gorse burning has closed as of 1 March.

Under the Wildlife Act, cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction by other means of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches is restricted between 1 March and 31 August.

No extension

Under the Heritage Bill, the Minister for Heritage, under certain circumstances, has the discretion to extend the uplands burning season by a month until 31 March.

The bill also allows for the hedge-cutting season to be opened earlier, in August instead of September. However, there is no provision to extend it into March.

There had been a number of calls for an extension to hedge-cutting dates owing to adverse weather conditions limiting farmers’ ability to trim hedges.

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Extension needed for hedge-cutting – Fitzmaurice

Contractors call for extension to hedge-cutting dates on farms