Turf-cutters fear EU ban will be extended

AS TURF-CUTTING will be banned from bogs designated as special areas of conservation (SACs) after this spring’s cutting season, many people are angry and fear that a ban on the harvesting of peat on all bogs may soon follow.

The EU habitats directive, which is impacting on turf-cutting in the SAC bogs, was announced as far back as 1999, but cutters were allowed 10 years for removing turf for domestic purposes from the 32 designated raised bogs.

According to a Department of the Environment spokesman this directive is being introduced to protect rare flora and fauna, especially rare heather.