IFA makes appeal on hen harriers

Ireland: The IFA has urged Forestry Minister John Browne not to take any rash decisions in restricting forestry in areas that are proposed to be designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for the protection of the hen harrier.

Steps are being taken to designate special protection areas (SPAs) in respect of the hen harrier, one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey, whose breeding population is mainly in the south-west, particularly around the Mullagharierk, Boggeragh, Ballyhoura, Nagle and Kilworth mountains.

IFA Farm Forestry chairman John Jackson said the IFA is not satisfied that enough scientific information has been collated to warrant such a drastic move. It is concerned that the Forest Service will act to restrict forestry in the areas prior to their designation by the NPWS.