Since the late 1990s farmers have lost control of their lands as the EU and Irish state has effectively claimed squatters’ rights on their land through SAC and SPA designations, INHFA president Colm O’Donnell has said.

“Through the 38 actions requiring consent on these lands, farmers are sidelined to the role of passive onlookers through the squatting actions of our State as applied through the National Parks and Wildlife Service,” he said.

The INHFA said these actions have failed for both the farmer and the environment as detailed by an NPWS report outlining how 92% of these habitats have stagnated or regressed while under their control.

“For these farmers the last 20 years have been very difficult. In this period, they have been denied the opportunity to manage their lands while also being blamed for any regression in the habitat status,” O’Donnell continued.

“Now the Irish state and EU want to drive on with this failed policy.”

Strictly protected

The EU Biodiversity Strategy proposes to double the area of land designated and introduce a more restrictive designation called “strictly protected”.

O’Donnell said: “If the EU and Irish state are serious about protecting our biodiversity and improving habitat status then they need to engage with our farmers who have delivered in the past and can do so again.

“There needs to be an acceptance that the ongoing policy of squatting on farmer’s land is wrong and must be reversed.”