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PRESS RELEASE 9th JUNE 2008

Active (peat-forming) raised bog is facing extinction in Ireland today. Only 0.6% of active raised bog remains and these 2,000 hectares are seriously under threat from turf cutting. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) is calling on Minister John Gormley to get tough on turf cutting and bring it to a stop on all Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs). All active raised bogs in Ireland are protected as SACs or NHAs. However these designated peatlands are not being protected while turf cutting is allowed to continue within them. In the last ten years over a third of active raised bog (1,000 ha) has been lost as a direct result of turf cutting taking place within conserved peatlands.

Studies carried out on the effects of turf cutting on raised bog over the last 20 years by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have proven beyond argument that turf cutting has a massively destructive impact on raised bogs. A raised bog is essentially a mound of water that supports and is retained by turf. Drainage and turf cutting at the margins of the bog lowers the water level within bog, causing the peat to dry out. This drying out of the bog kills the vegetation growing on the bog and prevents the bog from actively forming peat. When this happens the bog stops growing. Unless we take urgent action raised bogs will become relict features in our landscape.

Once all turf cutting ceases on a raised bog restoration works can be carried out, including drain blocking, to prevent any further loss of active raised bog and hopefully to restore damaged areas of bog to become active (peat-forming) once more. However, this restoration work will not be successful while turf cutting is taking place and new drains are continuing to be opened, which negatively affect the hydrology of the bog. It is of vital importance that all turf cutting in protected SACs and NHAs ceases immediately if we are to save active raised bog in Ireland from extinction.

ENDS

Editors note:
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a non-governmental organisation that was formed in 1982 to ensure the conservation of a representative sample of Irish bogs. Our activities include education and publicity, promoting environmental awareness, provision of information and encouraging the protection and conservation of our national heritage for the common good. We own and manage a number of peatlands for conservation and we run the Bog of Allen Nature Centre, which is open to visitors and school groups. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status. www.ipcc.ie

Interviews available on request, telephone IPCC on 045-860133 and ask for Sarah Malone, Conservation Officer, IPCC, Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare.

ENDS