Fianna Fáil and the IFA are set to come together next week to discuss their divergent views on the government’s Heritage Bill. The bill proposes an extension of hedgecutting dates which currently run from 1 September to the end of February.

While the bill initiated by the Government more than a year ago would allow cutting in August of “any hedge” on a farmer’s land within the regulations of a two-year pilot scheme, the Fianna Fáil amendment would change this to “roadside hedges” only.

IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney said he understood that the initial bill would result in farmers being allowed August hedgecutting in preparation for reseeding or winter crop sowing, but the Fianna Fáil amendment is putting this into question. “They’re neutralising the bill and leaving a bill that is of no use to farmers,” Cooney said. “Fianna Fáil is caving in to the Greens,” he added, calling on the party to withdraw its amendment.

Compromise

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal this Thursday, Jackie Cahill, Fianna Fáil’s junior spokesperson on Food and Horticulture, said Fianna Fáil would be meeting the IFA next Tuesday ahead of the discussion of the bill in the Seanad.

“We hope to reach a compromise with them,” he said.

We have received representations from conservationists in recent months

Cahill added that he would not be making his own personal thoughts on the amendment to the bill public until Fianna Fáil discusses it at their parliamentary party meeting next Wednesday.

Conservationists

However, by way of explanation for the amendment, Cahill said Fianna Fáil had received representations from conservationists in recent months to the effect that a blanket extension on hedgecutting dates would not be in the best interests of certain wildlife.

“They made representations to this effect, hence the amendment, but we do hope to come to some sort of a compromise when we meet the IFA on Tuesday,” he said.

“As a farmer myself, I understand the difficulty farmers who need to cut hedges during the closed period find themselves in,” he added.

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Fianna Fáil amendment to reduce August hedgecutting to road sides