The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has this week raised serious questions over the Commonage Management Plans (CMP)which are due to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture later this year.
In an open letter sent to Minister Heather Humphreys earlier this week, the organisation said: “The minister’s Department, through the NPWS, has failed in its obligations to farmers in its implementation of the Commonage Framework Plan (CFP)and the Natura Directives.”
The INHFA said that CFPs were designed to be reviewed every five years. However, there was no review forthcoming over the 16-year life time of the CFP.
It claims that the failure of the NPWS to re-assess the plans has denied farmers the opportunity to change the way they manage their commonage, and, as a result, it says that farmers have found themselves in direct conflict with the Department in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme around land eligibility.
The letter also raised ongoing concerns over Department of Agriculture inspectors training, in respect of them being able to adequately assess designated lands from an environment and habitat viewpoint.
The letter also raises strong concerns over the new CMPs, which are required for farmers with commonage participating in the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS).
The letter questions the minister on the role of the new CMP in relation to management of the commonage and how it fits in with the CFP.
It also questions the minister on what will be expected of farmers if the new CMP comes into force and whether the CMP plan will finish after the five-year GLAS term.
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has this week raised serious questions over the Commonage Management Plans (CMP)which are due to be submitted to the Department of Agriculture later this year.
In an open letter sent to Minister Heather Humphreys earlier this week, the organisation said: “The minister’s Department, through the NPWS, has failed in its obligations to farmers in its implementation of the Commonage Framework Plan (CFP)and the Natura Directives.”
The INHFA said that CFPs were designed to be reviewed every five years. However, there was no review forthcoming over the 16-year life time of the CFP.
It claims that the failure of the NPWS to re-assess the plans has denied farmers the opportunity to change the way they manage their commonage, and, as a result, it says that farmers have found themselves in direct conflict with the Department in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme around land eligibility.
The letter also raised ongoing concerns over Department of Agriculture inspectors training, in respect of them being able to adequately assess designated lands from an environment and habitat viewpoint.
The letter also raises strong concerns over the new CMPs, which are required for farmers with commonage participating in the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS).
The letter questions the minister on the role of the new CMP in relation to management of the commonage and how it fits in with the CFP.
It also questions the minister on what will be expected of farmers if the new CMP comes into force and whether the CMP plan will finish after the five-year GLAS term.
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