Taxpayers willing to pay farmers to maintain landscape of Burren

TAXPAYERS are willing to pay farmers to maintain the landscape and biodiversity values of their farms in the Burren region of Co Clare, according to a new survey.

A research team based at NUI Galway, which was commissioned by BurrenLIFE Project (BLP) to conduct the study, presented the findings at a seminar in Gort yesterday.

Lead researcher Dr Tom van Rensburg said Burren farmers produce quality food and maintain a heritage that attracts large numbers of tourists. They also produce a range of ecosystem services such as clean water, landscape and biodiversity.