ICSA seeks separate hen harrier compensation plan

A separate, stand-alone compensation scheme for hen harrier designation is being sought by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA).

ICSA rural development committee vice-chairman Seamus Sherlock

was addressing an ICSA meeting in Templeglantine, Co Limerick, during which farmers outlined how their land has been devalued as a result of the hen harrier designation.

Mr Sherlock, the Limerick delegate on the ICSA national executive, said it is unacceptable that many farmers have been left high and dry for years without any compensation while enduring huge restrictions on the use of the land in question.

“At present, the most a farmer with a hen harrier designation can hope for is a payment under GLAS, which only covers a maximum of 19 hectares,” he said.

“This is not acceptable, particularly in light of the blanket ban on afforestation which has severely impacted the value of designated land.”

Mr Sherlock said

the ICSA is also challenging the blanket ban on forestry, which it believes is based on questionable academic data. These ignore the fact that the first 12 years of a forestry plantation provide ideal cover for the hen harrier.

“In addition, new spruce plantations are reaching clear fell within 25 years,” he said. “Therefore, it must be possible to allow for some afforestation by using innovative ways of staggering plantations over a number of years in a way which is favourable to the birds.”