Gormley urged to reconsider ban on turf-cutting in bogs pending report

THE Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association yesterday urged Environment Minister John Gormley to adopt a common sense approach to the ban on turf-cutting in designated areas.

Rural Development Committee chairman John O’Donnell said the minister must reconsider his decision to ban turf-cutting on the 32 raised bogs until the Government has considered a report from an inter-departmental group established to examine the issue.

Mr O’Donnell said turf- cutting by farmers for their own use must be allowed to continue on all bogs.