Wildlife scheme covers 8,420 acres as uptake grows

INTEREST in the National Parks and Wildlife Services farm-plan scheme was slow at the start. It is now increasing every year, with 238 farm plans approved to date, covering 8,420 hectares.

Landowners not in REPS are compensated for losses due to SAC, SPA or NHA designation of lands, or certain actions to benefit nature as agreed in a farm plan.

The average per farm is 35 hectares, or €5,000 per annum. The cost to the national exchequer is €1.17m per annum. The scheme is paid for by the national exchequer, under EU regulation and monitoring.

Farm plans have been approved in 17 counties. The largest participation is in Co Mayo, with 56 farms. Co Roscommon is second, with 45 farm plans. Co Offaly is a close third, at 42 farms.

In Munster, Co Kerry has 15 farms, Co Limerick six, Co Cork and Co Clare four each, and Co Tipperary has one.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service’s head of the biodiversity unit, Andy Bleasdale, said the scheme is poised for considerable expansion.

“It is anticipated that there will be considerable demand for hen harrier farm plans in the period 2009 to 2013. In addition, NPWS have committed to providing significant compensation for further restrictions in the Twelve Bens, Garraun and Maamturks mountain SACs, to mirror compensation already being paid in the Owenduff-Nephinbeg SPA,” he said.

“Based on the current uptake, it is predicted that up to 200 farms per year will be joining the scheme in 2009 and 2010, with the annual expenditure increasing to nearly €5m.”