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Action 24. Cessation of Turf Cutting in Raised Bogs - Background Information

The cessation of all turf cutting on all raised bog SACs and NHAs is an urgent priority. IPCC believe that the Minister for the Environment needs to introduce a total ban on turf cutting on SACs and NHAs if we are to halt the alarming trend in active raised bog loss underway in Ireland. It may also be necessary for the EU to apply considerable pressure on the Irish authorities in the interest of nature conservation of this priority habitat.

Active raised bog is seriously under threat. Out of an original area of 308,742ha of active raised bog only 0.6% is active today. In Ireland there has been a massive reduction in the area of active raised bog in the last ten years. Over a third of the active raised bog (1,000ha) has been lost as a direct result of turf cutting taking place within raised bog SACs which has been allowed under the 1999 derogation on turf cutting on raised bog SACs. Monitoring by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the status of the raised bogs during this time provides unequivocal scientific proof of the destructive impacts of turf cutting on the active raised bog resource.

In addition, the assessment, monitoring and reporting on active raised bog under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive (2006) concluded that the conservation status of active raised bog is bad for habitat range, area, future prospects and specific structures and functions.In addition to the invidious effect of turf cutting two NHAs have been directly damaged by extensive drainage in the last ten years. These are Nore Valley Bogs NHA 1853 and Girley Bog NHA 1580.

Raised bog SACs and NHAs are not being protected, despite their conservation designation because the Department of the Environment has allowed turf cutting to continue. Only 5% of turbary rights have been acquired by NPWS since 1999 and these are mainly from non-active cutters. In 2003 domestic cutting was continuing on 84% of the designated raised bogs. It is of vital importance that all turf cutting ceases immediately on all 55 raised bog SACs and all 75 raised bog NHAs, by compulsory purchase if necessary, if the government are serious about protecting active raised bog habitat and implementing the EU Habitats Directive. IPCC are very concerned that this is our last chance to protect naturally occurring active raised bog which is less than 1% of the original area. The habitat is on the verge of extinction.

There is considerable public opinion and political pressure in Ireland on the right to cut turf which is giving a very negative opinion about the value of protecting wildlife.

There are other issues concerning the management of the raised bog resource currently owned by the NPWS. IPCC are concerned that apart from dealing with turf cutters, NPWS could do more to protect raised bog hydrology. The results of the dam construction on Raheenmore have been encouraging but have not been repeated elsewhere. An explanation is needed. The government is not putting adequate resources of funding and political will into the cessation of turf cutting on designated sites.

Derogation on the Cessation of Turf Cutting 1999
The cessation of turf cutting only applies to peatlands that have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas. It does not mean that all turf cutting in Ireland must stop. In 2008 it only affects 32 raised bogs that were designated as SACs in 1999. Turf cutting on the remaining 23 raised bog SACs and 75 raised bog NHAs is scheduled to cease in 2014 should the Minister for the Environment not decide to act on this issue.

In 1999 Síle de Valera, the then Minister of the Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, began the implementation of the cessation of turf cutting scheme on raised bogs which were proposed for conservation as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under the EU Habitats Directive. The cessation of turf cutting on SACs is necessary to implement the EU Habitats Directive, which requires the designation of such areas as SACs and their protection and conservation. It is also necessary if we are to halt the loss of peatland biodiversity.

In 1999 under the cessation of turf cutting on SACs scheme all industrial and commercial operations ceased. In the case of domestic cutters 10 years notice was given to cease cutting turf and make new arrangements. This 10 years notice was given in light of the social and economic impacts immediate cessation of turf cutting would have.

A series of compensation packages were offered to turf cutters. This included the purchase of bog or the purchase of turbary rights; or an annual payment for the life of the turf plot for ten years or the offer of another turf plot in the area and a once-off disturbance payment. By the end of 2001, over 4 million euro was spent by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in compensation to turf cutters under this scheme. The list of sites concerned in 2008 are as follows:

Site No., Year Designated, Site Code, Name and County
1 1997 6 Killyconny Bog (Cloghbally), Cavan/Meath
2 1997 326 Shankill West Bog, Galway
3 1997 296 Lisnageeragh Bog and Ballinstack Turlough, Galway
4 1997 1242 Carrownagappul Bog, Galway
5 1997 248 Cloonmoylan Bog, Galway
6 1997 301 Lough Lurgeen Bog/Glenamaddy Turlough, Galway
7 1997 231 Barroughter Bog, Galway
8 1997 285 Kilsallagh Bog, Galway
9 1997 2110 Corliskea/Trien/Cloonfelliv Bog, Galway/Roscommon
10 1997 382 Sheheree (Ardagh) Bog, Kerry
11 1997 391 Ballynafagh Bog, Kildare
12 1997 1818 Lough Forbes Complex, Longford/Roscommon
13 1997 547 Tawnaghbeg Bog, Mayo
14 1997 457 Derrynabrock Bog, Mayo/Roscommon
15 1997 497 Flughany Bog, Mayo/Sligo
16 1997 572 Clara Bo, Offaly
17 1997 580 Mongan Bog, Offaly
18 1997 575 Ferbane Bog, Offaly
19 1997 581 Moyclare Bog, Offaly
20 1997 566 All Saints Bog and Esker, Offaly
21 1997 585 Sharavogue Bog Offaly
22 1997 582 Raheenmore Bog, Offaly
23 1997 604 Derrinea Bog Roscommon
24 1997 614 Cloonshanville Bog, Roscommon
25 1997 600 Cloonchambers Bog, Roscommon
26 1997 597 Carrowbehy/Caher Bog, Roscommon
27 1997 592 Bellanagare Bog, Roscommon
28 1997 440 Lough Ree cSAC, Roscommon/Longford/Westmeath
29 1997 641 Ballyduff/Clonfinane Bog, Tipperary
30 1997 647 Kilcarren-Firville Bog, Tipperary
31 1997 679 Garriskil Bog, Westmeath
32 1999 297 Lough Corrib, Galway/Mayo

Actions
* Immediate cessation of all turf cutting on raised bog NHAs and SACs
* Compulsory purchase of turbary rights
* Restoration management on SACs and NHAs damaged by turf cutting
* Public awareness campaign on the importance of conserving peatlands
* Installation of signage on all SACs and NHAs informing the public of their status
* Provision of adequate financial and human resources to implement management and monitor turf cutting cessation

Return to Introductory Page on The Cessation of Turf Cutting