Deal seals turf-cutting ban on protected bogs and compensation

TURF will no longer be cut on 54 EU designated habitat sites after a last minute deal was struck between turf cutters and the Irish Peatlands Council.

At an emergency meeting in Ballinasloe it was agreed both sides would “trust one another” and that over the summer turf cutters and the IPC “will together identify new relocation sites” where they can cut turf instead. The turf cutters will also be able to avail of a compensation package to make up for the loss of their own original bogs. An appeals process is to be established around the compensation scheme.

Cutting turf on 31 raised bogs has already been banned by the EU and the ban is due to be extended to 24 more by the end of the year.