Calls for adequate compensation

The lack of compensation for farmers with hen harrier designation was highlighted at a meeting in Templeglantine, Co Limerick.

Limerick ICSA national executive member Seamus Sherlock organised the meeting which was attended by farmers from Limerick, Cork and Kerry. They said there was no adequate compensation and their designated land was completely devalued as it couldn’t even be used for forestry.

Mr Sherlock said that the ICSA has agreed to try to help these farmers and is going to organise a special meeting with them in the near future.

“It is scandalous that there has been no entry into the National Parks and Wildlife Service scheme since 2010. Now the farmers are being offered the GLAS scheme which is totally inadequate in most cases because it is capped at €5,000,” he said.

Farmers outlined how land was only worth €1,000 per acre with a hen harrier designation, while adjoining undesignated land was worth at least €4,000 per acre for forestry.

“We have to have adequate compensation for farmers who are designated or else designations will have to be removed,” said Mr Sherlock.