IFA demands continuation of turf cutting for domestic purposes

TURF cutting on designated raised bogs must be continued for domestic purposes, according to the Irish Farmers Association.

It also said adequate compensation must be made available for commercial turf cutters whose businesses are affected by designations.

In a submission to an inter-departmental committee on the cessation of turf cutting on certain Special Areas of Compensation (SAC) and Natural Heritage Areas, it said the extension of turf cutting for 2009 on 32 raised bogs was necessary.

That’s because there is no scientific evidence to suggest that turf cutting for domestic purposes is damaging to bogs.

The Government has put in place a broad consultative process to prepare for the phasing out of domestic turf cutting on designated raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas over the coming years.

Environment, Heritage and Local Government Minister John Gormley said recently that turf cutting on over 95% of Irish peatlands will be unaffected. In addition, cutting on blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation will be allowed to continue under the current restrictions. Cutting on all bogs during 2009 will be allowed to continue as before.

Mr Gormley said the working group set up to consider the issues will report back as a matter of urgency on questions such as the provision of compensation, where appropriate, and how to achieve effective preservation and restoration of these bogs.

“The Government is fully aware of the concerns of people using these bogs at present and of those interested in their preservation.

“The working group will be asked to invite the views of interested parties and give them an opportunity to raise concerns they might have,” he said.

IFA SAC Project Team chairman Michael Silke urged the National Parks and Wildlife Service to contact each individual bog owner to outline their plans for designated bogs. This would allow it to ascertain the number of active and inactive turf cutters and to determine the effects its proposals would have on turf cutting.