The Wicklow Uplands Council says there needs to be a public conversation in Ireland in terms of fire as an effective land management tool.

“While controlled burning is not the solution to all vegetation management problems, it has an important role to play,” a spokesperson for the Wicklow Uplands Council said. “Controlled burning, coupled with effective grazing, can result in our uplands returning to a healthier condition than they are in at present.”

The extension of burning dates to include March was one of the proposals in the Heritage Bill 2016. Also included was starting the hedgecutting season on 1 August. However, the Dáil was dissolved for the general election before the bill was passed and existing laws stay in effect, with hedgecutting illegal until 1 September.

Wicklow Uplands Council supported the extension in the burning season based on data on mean nesting of upland birds provided by the British Ornithological Trust

“The lobby against the proposed extension to the burning season is based predominately on the nesting season,” the Wicklow Uplands Council said. “The current burning season in the Republic makes no distinction between upland and lowland habitats, unlike in the UK and NI where burning is permitted in upland areas until 15 April. Wicklow Uplands Council supported the extension in the burning season based on data on mean nesting of upland birds provided by the British Ornithological Trust.

“Negative public perception of burning of vegetation in our uplands is understandable given the devastation caused by wildfire. However, there is a vast difference between controlled managed burning and uncontrolled wildfires.”

Earlier this year, the Wicklow Uplands Council ran a workshop on controlled rotational burning, a practice whereby landowners burn small patches of low vegetation to ensure optimal conditions for grazing and biodiversity. This results in a patchwork of fresh grassland and heather covered areas.

“Certain species including the Red Grouse need a variety of heather heights to breed and flourish. These controlled burns are fast and burn through vegetation quickly without generating the excessive heat which can damage the soil underneath,” the council added.

Heritage Bill for next Oireachtas session

In a recent interview with the Irish Farmers Journal, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys said the Heritage Bill would be reintroduced at the autumn session of the Oireachtas and it would likely be some time next year before it could be adopted.

Prosecutions

Several environmental organisations have opposed the extension of hedgecutting and burning dates. On hedgecutting, the Irish Wildlife Trust argues that “August is a particularly crucial month for wildlife to use hedgerows”.

The organisation has found through a freedom of information request that there had been 40 prosecutions for illegal hedgecutting since 2011, with the majority of cases having a fine imposed.

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Department warns farmers and landowners on illegal burning