Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said that he is supportive of the idea of Teagasc establishing a dedicated uplands research farm.

There was widespread speculation earlier this year that the State agency was poised to buy a 687ac hill farm in Derrintin, Leenane, Co Mayo.

The farm had been leased by Teagasc from 1991 until 2011 and run as a demonstration farm.

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“I am aware that Teagasc is exploring the possibility of establishing a dedicated upland hill research farm to help address the economic, environmental and societal challenges facing farmers in these areas. I am supportive of Teagasc’s endeavours in this area and there has been engagement with my Department on the matter.

“This initiative would complement Teagasc’s existing sheep research programme based in the Teagasc Athenry research centre,” Minister Heydon said in response to a parliamentary question from Galway west TD Seán Kyne.

Minister Heydon said he recognised the requirement for more long-term research in upland areas.

“I appreciate that it encompasses not only sheep production research but also uplands cattle, vegetation, water quality, carbon and habitat research to run concurrently, so that the interaction between all these elements is fully understood.”

When queried this week as to the status of the hill farm, a Teagasc spokesperson said the agency had “no comment to make at this point”.