The current Natura 2000 land designations is a failed policy with habitats in decline since the nature directives were introduced 20 years ago, Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) president Colm O’Donnell has said.

The comments came during a meeting between the INHFA and Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan.

The farm lobby group advised the new minister to ‘put on the green jersey’ and battle hard on behalf of Irish farmers to resist further EU land designations, proposed in the Commission's biodiversity strategy.

Freedom to farm

O’Donnell said: "We asked the minister to consider incentives to promote biodiversity at farm level rather than imposing further designations and strict protection criteria on farmland.

“Farmers are extremely worried that they may lose the ability and freedom to farm their lands."

The INHFA president highlighted to the minister that criteria and guidance for the designation process for additional lands, including a definition for strict protection, is due to be lodged with the European Commission before the end of 2020.

“Our organisation will fight tooth and nail against this happening,” O’Donnell concluded.

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