EU cites aerial photos as evidence of turf cutting in protected areas
The commission said there is “ongoing concern” about peat extraction on “numerous” protected sites claiming it has aerial photos suggesting raised bogs in the midlands are still being harvested for peat.
This is despite a provisional agreement being reached in recent weeks, hammered out by the Peatlands Council, which brought about an immediate cessation of turf cutting.
However, turf cutters still need to be adequately compensated and this is proving to be an arduous task.
The Peatlands Council and the Turf Cutters Association are working to address all 6,000 or more turf cutters to see how they want to be compensated.
Active turf cutters are being asked to indicate their preference for relocation to an alternative bog or for a financial package, totalling a maximum of €15,000 over 15 years.
According to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, qualifying turf-cutters will be facilitated in relocating to alternative sites where feasible.
A pilot project is under consideration by the department, Bord na Móna and turf cutters on Clara Bog, Co Offaly.
According to the department, the scheme is breaking ground but it is very difficult to see how it will pan out.
“The land swap issue is the most complicated part of this and the project in Clara will inform what happens. There are no hard and fast rules.”
The department said it may have to purchase or lease bogs from private owners or Bord na Móna, but it has not yet been decided where this money will come from.
Officials said despite claims to the contrary, no EU funding had been given to Ireland in the past to specifically deal with the issue of turf cutting.
A spokesperson said: “Ireland receives substantial funding from the EU under the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
“At present this funding is not used to compensate turf cutters in these sites.
“Funding for the compensation of turf cutters in sites where continued turf cutting is no longer possible for reasons of environmental protection presently comes from the Environment Fund.”
Ireland faces massive EU fines if turf cutting is found to be continuing on protected raised bogs.
