Where eagles dare: why should farmer pay?

JACK POWER (Irish Examiner, April 26) needs to be reminded about IFA policy on the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle to the National Park in Killarney before he completely loses the run of himself.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Batt O’Keeffe pointed out on Morning Ireland on April 16 that “we would look at a compensation scheme” if it were proven that lambs were taken by the eagles.

In our statement, I referred to the situation in Scotland where National Heritage now operates a scheme of compensation for sheep farmers because of the losses suffered by them.

Whether Mr Power likes it or not, consultation with landowners did not take place, something that was conceded by Environment Minister Dick Roche at the time.

Is it too much to ask that farmers should not have to bear the loss of livestock?

Neilie O’Leary

IFA Hill Farming Chairman

Inchingowna

Coomhola

Bantry

Co Cork