New system for some on-farm development works under review

A SEPARATE environmental impact assessment screening and consent system is being devised by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for on-farm development works that fall outside the planning system — such as removal of hedgerows, combining of fields, ploughing of semi-natural areas, seeding and fertilising and the maintenance of field drainage.

This system of regulations — which excludes activities and development on wetlands — is currently being finalised.

“It was considered that most of these types of activities are more appropriate outside of the planning system, and that legislation should be introduced by my department that would provide a more accessible and timely screening and consent process for farmers. Therefore, these elements have been removed from the planning system by exemption and will now be included in regulations that I will introduce,” said Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.