Plea to Cullen on river margins plan

THE IFA has called on Environment Minister Martin Cullen not to designate any lands adjacent to rivers under Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).

IFA western committee chairman Con Hickey said under proposals already issued to many landowners, the department plans to designate land 30m from the river margin, which will impose severe restrictions.

This land designation is totally unnecessary as farmers are already complying with Good Farming Practice to protect the quality of the water.