More biodiversity does not mean less farmland

In Ireland, almost a third of European Union-protected species and 85% of EU-protected habitats are in unfavourable status

The fourth National Biodiversity Plan aims to expand national parks, tackle invasive species, strengthen efforts on wildlife crime, increase collaboration on nature-friendly farming and work with communities.

THE recognition given in the fourth National Biodiversity Plan to the scale of the ongoing work being done by farmers has been welcomed.

Irish Farmers Association’s Environment and Rural Affairs chair John Murphy described the recognition as encouraging.