Ban on burning hedge clippings 'could threaten road safety'

Farmers have had a derogation from the ban on burning green materials but that is set to expire on December 1

Farmers need to burn 'green materials’ such as timber and briars they have cut  Picture: iStock 

A ban on farmers burning ‘green materials’ such as timber and briars is likely to lead to less cutting of roadside ditches and increase safety issues on rural roads.

That’s according to county councillors representing the North Cork region who have expressed concern about the legislation which is being introduced on December 1.

New regulations on the burning of solid fuel came into effect in October 2022, reducing the allowable levels of smoke emissions.

The Mayor of The County of Cork, Frank O'Flynn: A lot of briars are shaking hands with each other across some rural roads. This will only make matters worse.' Picture: Michael O'Sullivan/OSM

A derogation allowed farmers to continue to adhere to previous regulations but that derogation is set to expire on December 1, meaning farmers will need to change their practices.

Details of the new law were provided to a meeting of the council’s Northern Division, prompting its chairman Fianna Fáil councillor Bernard Moynihan to say it will have a negative impact on road safety. 

He and his colleagues believe many farmers will not spend time and money on disposing of hedgerow material in accordance with the new laws, whereas up to now they’ve carried out controlled burning of what’s been cut down.

“I’m not happy with this,” said Fianna Fáil councillor, County Mayor, Frank O’Flynn. He said: 

As it is, a lot of briars are shaking hands with each other across some rural roads. This will only make matters worse.

Mr Moynihan added: "It will result in more roadside growth and make it less safe for motorists and for those walking the roads.  

"There needs to be a big pushback on this for safety reasons.”

Ted O’Leary, a senior official in the county council’s environment directorate, said that after December 1, landowners will have options such as composting the material, making wood chips for fuel, or mulching it to use as supplementary fertiliser.

Mr O’Leary said he appreciated not cutting roadside hedges could lead to road safety issues.

He said burning any waste in public has been illegal for the past 20 years and Ireland is the only EU state which has allowed farmers a derogation, up to now, to continue doing it.

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