P r e s s R e l e a s e

Irish Conservation Groups Urge Minister Higgins to Protect Wildlife Habitats Immediately

For immediate release 22nd November 1996

Irish conservation groups today called on Michael D. Higgins, the Minister with responsibility for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to implement the long delayed legislation for the protection of Irish habitats. These include sites of national importance (National Heritage Areas) and sites of European importance (Special Areas of Conservation) which are essential to the conservation of Irish wildlife and their habitats. In recent years intensive farming, afforestation and peat extraction have resulted in a dramatic decline in important wildlife habitats such as hay meadows and boglands. This has brought birds such as the corncrake and the grey partridge, and plants such as the autumn crocus to the brink of extinction.

In view of current anxieties among farmers about the effects of proposed environmental land designations on normal farming activities , we need a factually based public information programme by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Michael D. Higgins, TD, on precise details of NHA and SAC designations will involve anything more demanding than to retain traditional farming systems in key areas of nature conservation value, where the agricultural potential is often very low anyhow.

Conservation groups are very concerned at the social and economic decline in rural Ireland. WE appreciate the concerns of farmers regarding the forthcoming changes in environmental legislation and we call for proper negotiation and consultation between the Minister's department, farming communities and environmentalists. Farmers whose lands are affected by conservation measures should receive financial compensation.

While it is clearly important for Government and land owners to resolve any legal and financial matters arising in this particular context, the NHA/SAC issue is really just one aspect of a much broader picture. The fundamental problem which needs to be addressed urgently is the conflict between EU agricultural schemes and environmental conservation programmes. The Irish Government, together with national farming and environmental groups, should be using their combined strength and influence in Brussels to have EU farm income support payments linked directly to the vital role played by farmers in sustainable countryside management.

We also call for the rapid implementation of the Wildlife Act(Amendment) Bill so that proper measures are in place in Irish legislation to facilitate the SAC designations.

For further information contact:
Peter Foss, Irish Peatland Conservation Council (01-872 2397)
John Murphy, IWC Birdwatch Ireland (01-280 4322)
Rosaleen Dwyer, Irish Wildlife Trust (01-662 7457 / 01-668 9332)
Tony Lowes, An Taisce (027-73131)

EDITOR'S NOTE 1: The Irish Peatland Conservation Council is a national charity and is entirely supported by voluntary contributions. Conservation projects include: purchasing bogland nature reserves, providing resources and training for teachers and education groups, repairing damaged bogs, fostering a positive attitude towards bogs, and encouraging lifestyles in harmony with the environment. The IPCC can be contacted at: Capel Chambers, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01-872 2397. Registered Charity Number: CHY6829

EDITOR'S NOTE 2: The Irish Peatland Conservation Council gratefully acknowledges Indigo who have sponsored our pages on the World Wide Web.

EDITOR'S NOTE 3 : The work of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is supported by the FÁS Community Employment Program.

EDITOR'S NOTE 4 : BACKGROUND NOTE

SPECIAL AREA OF CONSERVATION (SAC's) Sites of European Importance

The European Commission is establishing a network of sites of European importance under the 1992 Habitats Directive Ireland committed itself to implement this directive by June 1994 but has not adhered to this commitment. The list of sites has not yet been produced but it is likely to include areas such as the Burren, many raised bogs and special grassland areas such as Eskers.

NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS (NHA's) Sites of National Importance

At present, these sites have no legal protection. They include sand dunes, turloughs and old hay meadows. The 1975 Wildlife Act needs to be revised urgently to give legal force to these NHAs. The Wildlife Amendment Bill is due for publication soon.

FARMING PRACTICES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The interaction between farming practices and the environment is very complex. Intensive farming, overgrazing and pollution damage wildlife sites. But traditional extensive farming is essential to maintain some important habitats. For example, without grazing or cutting, hay meadows would disappear. The wildlife Groups are not anti-farmer. We do oppose intensive farming of environmentally sensitive areas.

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