ICSA issues cautious welcome for hen harrier initiative

ICSA rural development chairman Billy Gray has cautiously welcomed Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney’s update on financial supports for farmers working in designated hen harrier areas.

Noting that some farmers in those areas are already earning up to €7,000 per annum under Glas and Glas+, Mr Coveney has outlined a further measure currently being developed under the new locally led agri-environment schemes (LLAES) to compensate farmers for wildlife conservation initiatives.

Mr Coveney said: “I intend to introduce a further measure under the LLAES to cater for those farmers who are farming large tracts of hen harrier land.”