€7.5m for farmers to take actions as part of breeding waders project
The EIP has been allocated €25m to cover administration and payments to participating farmers, with the project aiming to secure existing wader populations at key sites.
A consortium led by Irish Rural Link has been selected as the operational group to deliver the upcoming European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project on breeding waders.
The EIP has been allocated €25m to cover administration and payments to participating farmers, with the project aiming to secure existing wader populations at key sites, and to support population recovery via wider landscape management and policy development.
Breeding wader species include curlew, redshank, golden plover, lapwing and snipe.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett said that the "central concept of this EIP initiative is to work with farmers and other stakeholders to put innovative solutions into practice".
"As part of the overall budget of €25m, I am delighted to allocate €7.5m directly to farmers for actions on the ground," Ms Hackett said.
“I look forward to following the progress of the EIP project, and I wish the team every success with its collective and collaborative work with farmers to restore habitats for these special birds.”
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue added: “The breeding waders EIP is a landmark project which will build on the success of previous conservation programmes.
"As we know, lapwing, redshank, curlew and snipe are now reduced to very small, and, in some cases, critical numbers in the Irish countryside.
"Through engaging with farmers to support the implementation of practical conservation actions, I believe that this project will play a significant role in starting to reverse those trends.”
The successful application was submitted by Irish Rural Link in partnership with Michael Martyn Agri-Environment, Irish Wildlife Services, Hen Harrier Project, Atlantic Technological University, University College Dublin, Zoological Society of Ireland, and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
