Agreement allows farmers to plant in protected areas to be used for conservation of hen harrier

NEW planting by farmers in areas soon to be designated for the protection of the hen harrier is to be allowed under an agreed forest management protocol.

An annual quota of new planting will be established for each of six proposed Special Protection Areas in counties Cork, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Laois, Limerick, Monaghan, Offaly and Tipperary.

The Forest Service will be responsible for processing applications and will implement the new protocol immediately. Under the new rules, the heath-bog habitat will be fully preserved.