Call for turf cutting compensation

THE price of oil, which has recently reached $110 a barrel, has boosted the value of traditional turf cutting in many parts of Ireland.

MEP Marian Harkin made the claim in the European Parliament when she called for full compensation for people whose turf cutting rights are being restricted by EU legislation.

Irish turf-cutters and bog owners are being asked to cease cutting turf for personal use, she said.

Ms Harkin said this situation has arisen because of unrestricted industrial and commercial turf cutting right across the EU, which has resulted in virtually all of Europe’s raised bogs being destroyed.

Ms Harkin said given that oil is now fetching around $110 per barrel, turf is a very valuable economic resource for the individuals concerned.

“In this context, at national level there must be full compensation for the loss of turf cutting rights, and flexible arrangements will have to be put in place so that we can balance the rights of owners against the need to conserve the raised bogs,” she said.

Connacht IFA vice president Michael Silke has meanwhile called on Environment Minister John Gormley to extend the derogation to allow turf cutting for domestic purposes in special areas of conservation bog around the country.

Mr Silke said domestic turf cutting has little or no environmental impact on designated bogs.