Kerry leads in land conservation designations
No less than 25.2%, or 119,697.04 of its 475,000.06 hectares, are SACs. Farmers say designations restrict production and development of their land, reducing their income and property values, and compensation on offer is inadequate.
Galway and Mayo have the largest SAC areas, respectively 129,270.64 and 124,702.53 hectares, 21.11% and 22.28% of their lands. In Munster, Clare has the second highest proportion of SAC designated land, at 12.01%, followed by Waterford’s 5.65%, Tipperary’s 3.41%, Cork’s 3.22% and Limerick’s 2.23%.
County Monaghan, with 0.04%, has the least land designated. Co Kildare, with 1.02% and Co Meath with 1.07% are also less affected.
The figures were given in the Dáil by Environment Minister Dick Roche in answer to a question by Michael Ring, TD, Fine Gael, Mayo.
