EIA screening rules may hinder farm improvements

FIELD drainage which requires routine maintenance or replacement must not be included in the new reduced thresholds for mandatory screening or full environmental impact assessment, said ICMSA deputy president John Comer.

He said there is no provision for an appeal mechanism in the new screening process, with only prohibitively expensive judicial review allowed. Mr Comer said he is extremely concerned that new regulations give consultation body status to An Taisce, and warned that many farmers in fear of red tape will abandon plans to improve holdings.

IFA President John Bryan has expressed concern over the threshold levels for re-contouring, and how wetlands will be defined.