Drones to change Irish farming, says Clune

Drones will revolutionise farming, but regulations will be needed to protect people’s privacy, said Fine Gael Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune.

Speaking at a European Parliament debate on drone technology, Ms Clune said small flying drones, which can be bought for €400, could soon be used to check forestry, map farming lands, spread fertilisers and monitor sheep during the lambing season.

“Throughout Europe, drones are already being used for aerial photography but also for safety inspections of infrastructure, such as rail tracks, dams, bridges or power grids. National authorities are using them in disaster relief, such as to overfly flooded areas or to support firefighting, mountain rescue and to help with rural police patrols,” she said.