Farmers must be compensated for the severe restrictions resulting from the designation of lands, Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin has claimed.

Farmers in 119 townlands across the northwest had been informed recently that their lands were now subject to heightened restrictions due to the districts being designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Deputy Harkin told the Dáil.

The designations also had implications for local people seeking planning for houses and other developments in these areas, she added.

“Fifty townlands in Co Leitrim in or near Lough Melvin, and 69 townlands around Templehouse and the Ox Mountains [in Sligo], have just received their full official designation as Special Areas of Conservation,” Deputy Harkin told the Dáil.

“This means there are between 30 and 37 different actions on these lands that require consent. These include any construction, removal or alteration of fences, stone walls, hedgerows or field boundaries; any widening or blocking of drains; any significant changes to the numbers or type of livestock; any felling or planting of trees; and any constructions or alteration of tracks, paths, roads, culverts or access routes,” she explained.

Deputy Harkin asked the Tanaiste Leo Varadkar for a reassurance that those farmers whose lands are impacted by designations in Sligo and Leitrim would be compensated for the huge restrictions placed on their agricultural practices and their land usage.

“This designation means that anybody who carries out any of the 30 plus listed activities without consent is guilty of an offence. The legislation also requires that planning authorities will have to take into account the designations when assessing any future developments in or near these SAC sites,” Deputy Harkin explained.

Securing planning on designated land for the building of homes, extensions or farm buildings is more difficult, takes longer, and is far costlier that in non-designated areas.

“It is imperative that we ensure farmers and landowners are appropriately compensated for the designation of their lands,” Deputy Harkin insisted.

While farmers were compensated for designations under REPS, she said these payments had been eroded under AEOS and GLAS.

Deputy Harkin’s calls for compensation were echoed by the INHFA.

“We have always maintained that designations create restrictions and costs for farmers which must be recognised by the State and appropriately paid for by the State,” said INHFA president Vincent Roddy.