Aquaculture licence backlog numbers 521
The backlog of new and renewal applications exists because most areas for which licences are sought are designated special areas of conservation, under the EU Habitats’ Directive, and/or special protection areas, under the EU Birds’ Directive (Natura 2000 sites), said Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith.
He said: “In the case of aquaculture sites located within Natura 2000 areas, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary, baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of these areas.
“This comprehensive data-collection programme, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU birds-and-habitats directives.”
In 2008, the Irish Farmers Association’s aquaculture section said the licensing system for aquaculture production had completely collapsed, with fish farmers waiting up to 70 months for applications to be processed.
