‘Viable’ harrier scheme sought

Farmers in areas designated for hen harrier protection are hoping a new scheme will be introduced in 2015.

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.