Forestry chief advises farmers to be extra vigilant to avoid forest fires

FARMERS are being urged to be extra vigilant to avoid forest fires from today, the official start of the nesting and breeding season.

IFA farm forestry chairman Pat Hennessy has urged farmers to adhere to the restrictions on the cutting, burning or destruction of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges during the nesting and breeding season, which runs until August 31.

Mr Hennessy said: “Although there are some exemptions to the restrictions for works carried out during the normal course of agriculture and forestry, we are asking farmers to be extra vigilant. 2010 was the worst year in recorded history for forest fires.