Conservation experts to address farming summit

European conservation experts will today address an international summit on farming in the Burren area.

Representatives from the European Forum on Conservation and Pastoralism (EFCP) will speak about developing agriculture within sensitive ecosystems.

The UK-based EFCP is currently involved in high nature value farming projects in Spain, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

The three-day 'Farming for Conservation – Supporting the Future' event in Co Clare is organised by The Burren Life Project (BLP), which promotes sustainable agriculture in the Burren region.

Officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Northern Ireland will also speak today about innovative agri-environmental schemes.

The Minister for Heritage John Gormley addressed the conference, in Ennistymon, on Monday.

The Burren spans 160 square kilometres in north Co Clare and nurtures flora and fauna species found in Arctic, Mediterranean and Alpine regions.

Environmentalists have called for the area to be designated a Unesco World Heritage Site like Newgrange in Co Meath and the Giant’s Causeway in Co Antrim.

The conference in Ennistymon will feature presentations from other famous limestone regions across Europe including the Alvars of Sweden, the Causse in France and the Yorkshire Dales in Britain.

The BLP is supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in partnership with Teagasc and Burren IFA.