Fears about restrictions on forestry

THE hen harrier, one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey, is back in the news with confirmation that plans are going ahead to designate areas for its protection.

But farmers in areas that are now being proposed for designation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) are concerned that forestry will be restricted as a result.

The Irish Farmers Association believes that over 1,000 town lands in counties Clare, Cork, Galway Kerry, Laois, Limerick, Monaghan, Offaly and Tipperary are likely to be affected by the proposed designations. Local farmers are extremely concerned that any such restrictions will not only limit their range of viable land use options but could also potentially devalue the land in these particular areas. The breeding population of the hen harrier is mainly concentrated in the south-western counties, particularly around the Mullagharierk, Boggeragh, Ballyhoura, Nagle and Kilworth Mountains.