‘Viable’ harrier scheme sought
The Irish Farmers with Designated Land (IFDL) recently sent a delegation to the EU Agriculture Commission in Brussels seeking changes in the current scheme which, they claim, is “destroying” rural Ireland.
In special protection areas for the hen harrier, tree-planting is banned, which is making land worthless, according to the IFDL.
Its chairman, Jason Fitzgerald, yesterday said they wanted to restore the value of designated lands to the same value as neighbouring, non-designated lands and that of similar type land elsewhere.
“We also want to ensure farmers are allowed make a reasonable income from their lands,” he said.
Non-designated land could fetch up to €4,000 per acre, while designated land might not make €1,000, he said.
He said farmers in the special protection areas had come together out of frustration from the lack of progress being made on the serious issues involved.
Mr Fitzgerald said the designation had left farmers angry and had stripped away their assets, causing mental strain and depression.
There are six special protection areas spanning Clare, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Kerry, Laois, Offaly, and Monaghan. Mr Fitzgerald claimed farmers in these areas had their assets taken away with a stroke of a pen.
The Brussels meeting was arranged by Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly and the delegation called for a new, properly-funded scheme, as most farmers are now four years without any money.
Mr Fitzgerald, from Boherbue, Co Cork, said the meeting was very successful and the commission would be contacting relevant Irish government departments.
“The IFDL received information over the last few days that there is a possibility of a new scheme being introduced next year but it’s early stages yet and the IFDL need to ensure that all the concerns of the previous scheme are ironed out,” he stated.
A long-term viable scheme needs to be put in place to make farming as viable as forestry, he urged.
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