A widely criticised ban on the sale and distribution of turf proposed by Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan from 1 September is to go ahead, the Department of the Environment has said.
A spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that many of the 3,000 citizens who replied to the public consultation on the Solid Fuel Regulations called for a full ban on health and environmental grounds. While others were concerned about any potential ban, the department said the new regulations took all of these perspectives into consideration.
Minister Ryan’s proposed regulations would allow those with rights to harvest sod peat to continue to burn it in their own fires but it would prohibit them from selling or even gifting this turf to family or neighbours, outside of their own dwelling.
The department said “local authorities will be responsible” for the enforcement of the ban. It is understood that like current Solid Fuel Regulations, they will have fines at their disposal to ensure compliance. .
Defending the proposals, the department spokesperson said the aim is to improve air quality for the benefit of people’s health.
“There is increasing evidence that indicates that turf is being traded to a greater extent than previously thought in urban settings, where its impact on air quality can be felt by many more people,” the spokesperson said.
The department also suggested that the ban is needed to avoid coal companies challenging the State. “In 2018, three non-ROI based coal companies indicated that if the smoky coal ban was extended, they would challenge both the ban extension and the existing ban, on the basis that the State should also ban the burning of other fossil fuels, including wood and peat products.”
ICSA rural development chair Tim Farrell said there is “simply no justification for making criminals of ordinary people by prohibiting the
sale or distribution of turf” and that the move “beggars belief”.
Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan warned that Minister Ryan’s plans show that the “creeping criminalisation” of turf has moved to a “full gallop”.
Read more
Turf for yourself but not your neighbour – Minister Ryan
Creeping criminalisation of turf moves to full gallop – Nolan TD
Rural people should not be hit by environmentalists’ policies – Jackie Cahill TD
A widely criticised ban on the sale and distribution of turf proposed by Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan from 1 September is to go ahead, the Department of the Environment has said.
A spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal that many of the 3,000 citizens who replied to the public consultation on the Solid Fuel Regulations called for a full ban on health and environmental grounds. While others were concerned about any potential ban, the department said the new regulations took all of these perspectives into consideration.
Minister Ryan’s proposed regulations would allow those with rights to harvest sod peat to continue to burn it in their own fires but it would prohibit them from selling or even gifting this turf to family or neighbours, outside of their own dwelling.
The department said “local authorities will be responsible” for the enforcement of the ban. It is understood that like current Solid Fuel Regulations, they will have fines at their disposal to ensure compliance. .
Defending the proposals, the department spokesperson said the aim is to improve air quality for the benefit of people’s health.
“There is increasing evidence that indicates that turf is being traded to a greater extent than previously thought in urban settings, where its impact on air quality can be felt by many more people,” the spokesperson said.
The department also suggested that the ban is needed to avoid coal companies challenging the State. “In 2018, three non-ROI based coal companies indicated that if the smoky coal ban was extended, they would challenge both the ban extension and the existing ban, on the basis that the State should also ban the burning of other fossil fuels, including wood and peat products.”
ICSA rural development chair Tim Farrell said there is “simply no justification for making criminals of ordinary people by prohibiting the
sale or distribution of turf” and that the move “beggars belief”.
Laois-Offaly TD Carol Nolan warned that Minister Ryan’s plans show that the “creeping criminalisation” of turf has moved to a “full gallop”.
Read more
Turf for yourself but not your neighbour – Minister Ryan
Creeping criminalisation of turf moves to full gallop – Nolan TD
Rural people should not be hit by environmentalists’ policies – Jackie Cahill TD
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