Hen harrier restrictions affect Munster farmers

MUNSTER landowners will bear the brunt of forest planting restrictions introduced last week by the Government for protection of the hen harrier bird.

In counties Cork, Kerry and Limerick, The Stacks and Mullaghareirk Mountains, West Limerick Hills, Mount Eagle, Mullaghanish and Musheramore Mountains, and the Slievefelim and Silvermines hills extending from Limerick into Tipperary, will all have Hen Harrier Special Protection Areas.

New forest planting will be restricted by an annual quota system in these areas, and areas which will be designated in the Slieve Beagh area of Co Monaghan, the Slieve Aughty Mountains of Clare and Galway, and Slieve Bloom Mountains of Laois and Offaly.