Menu
31/01/2012
Farmers Light Fire Under Minister For Turf-Cutters
The chairman of Ireland's largest farming union has called on the Minister for Heritage to improve the offer to farmers being forced to cease turf cutting.
The Irish Farmer's Association Project Chairman Padraic Divilly made the appeal to Minister Jimmy Deenihan as farmers in 51 designated SAC bogs are told to stop cutting.
Mr Divilly said that following a meeting with Minister Deenihan, the compensation on offer must be doubled from €1,000 to €2,000, and must apply for the lifetime of the bog with a minimum of 30 years and must not be restricted to the current 15 years deadline.
Padraic Divilly said that before any deal is offered, every option must be given to turf-cutters. This would involve relocation for those who want to cut turf.
“The supply of turf should also be provided for those that see it as the preferred option, where relocation is not suitable," Mr Divilly said. He added: "Also a proper reimbursement scheme should be available for the loss of cutting rights.”
In the case of relocation, Mr Divilly said a disturbance payment must be offered as, in a lot of cases, the relocated bog is a long way from the restricted bog. Also, a 100% grant should be available to those who want to install an alternative heating system and/or insulation where necessary.
The restrictions on turf cutting were introduced after a government funded four-year report, called Boglands, which found though peat soils cover 20% of the national land area, there were no more intact raised bogs in Ireland while very few peatlands remain in their natural state.
According to the document, peatlands are “Ireland’s last great area of wilderness” and the management of the peatlands was not sustainable in either past or present time.
Last year, the Government was forced to take action on the cessation of turf cutting on 53 designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) raised bogs, to ensure Ireland would not be subject to legal action and potentially serious fines in the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Government has held a consistent line on this issue since taking office – that all cutting must cease on Ireland’s 53 designated raised bog SACs.
(DW)
The Irish Farmer's Association Project Chairman Padraic Divilly made the appeal to Minister Jimmy Deenihan as farmers in 51 designated SAC bogs are told to stop cutting.
Mr Divilly said that following a meeting with Minister Deenihan, the compensation on offer must be doubled from €1,000 to €2,000, and must apply for the lifetime of the bog with a minimum of 30 years and must not be restricted to the current 15 years deadline.
Padraic Divilly said that before any deal is offered, every option must be given to turf-cutters. This would involve relocation for those who want to cut turf.
“The supply of turf should also be provided for those that see it as the preferred option, where relocation is not suitable," Mr Divilly said. He added: "Also a proper reimbursement scheme should be available for the loss of cutting rights.”
In the case of relocation, Mr Divilly said a disturbance payment must be offered as, in a lot of cases, the relocated bog is a long way from the restricted bog. Also, a 100% grant should be available to those who want to install an alternative heating system and/or insulation where necessary.
The restrictions on turf cutting were introduced after a government funded four-year report, called Boglands, which found though peat soils cover 20% of the national land area, there were no more intact raised bogs in Ireland while very few peatlands remain in their natural state.
According to the document, peatlands are “Ireland’s last great area of wilderness” and the management of the peatlands was not sustainable in either past or present time.
Last year, the Government was forced to take action on the cessation of turf cutting on 53 designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) raised bogs, to ensure Ireland would not be subject to legal action and potentially serious fines in the Court of Justice of the European Union.
The Government has held a consistent line on this issue since taking office – that all cutting must cease on Ireland’s 53 designated raised bog SACs.
(DW)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 January 2014
Govt To 'De-Designate' Bogs For Turf-Cutting
A number of bogs due to come under a turf-cutting ban later this year are to be "de-designated", the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has announced. The department has said that it will produce a new list of bogs, containing a number that had previously been deemed as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) of Conservation.
Govt To 'De-Designate' Bogs For Turf-Cutting
A number of bogs due to come under a turf-cutting ban later this year are to be "de-designated", the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has announced. The department has said that it will produce a new list of bogs, containing a number that had previously been deemed as Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) of Conservation.
04 July 2013
EC Issue Warning On Continued Breaching Of Turf Cutting Ban
Serious concerns have been raised over illegal turf cutting on raised bogs around the country, a statement from the European Commission (EC) has said.
EC Issue Warning On Continued Breaching Of Turf Cutting Ban
Serious concerns have been raised over illegal turf cutting on raised bogs around the country, a statement from the European Commission (EC) has said.
09 August 2012
€1.5m In Turf Cutter Compensation Paid Out So Far
€1.5m has so far been paid out in compensation to more than 1,500 turfcutters, in an effort to preserve 53 raised bogs across Ireland. An EU habitats directive imposed restrictions on turf cutting due to of environmental damage on the bogs, which are designated areas of special conservation.
€1.5m In Turf Cutter Compensation Paid Out So Far
€1.5m has so far been paid out in compensation to more than 1,500 turfcutters, in an effort to preserve 53 raised bogs across Ireland. An EU habitats directive imposed restrictions on turf cutting due to of environmental damage on the bogs, which are designated areas of special conservation.
13 April 2011
Turf-Cutters Compensation Package To Be Launched
The Government has announced details of a compensation package for turf-cutters in sites where continued turf-cutting is no longer possible for reasons of environmental protection.
Turf-Cutters Compensation Package To Be Launched
The Government has announced details of a compensation package for turf-cutters in sites where continued turf-cutting is no longer possible for reasons of environmental protection.
05 April 2013
Land Owners Reminded Of Forest Fire Dangers
Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today reminded forest owners, forestry managers, farmers, turf cutters and the public that there will be an ongoing risk of land and forest fires in many parts of the country over the coming days.
Land Owners Reminded Of Forest Fire Dangers
Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today reminded forest owners, forestry managers, farmers, turf cutters and the public that there will be an ongoing risk of land and forest fires in many parts of the country over the coming days.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
