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

BOGS - NOBODY'S FUEL

For immediate release 17 October 1996

The mechanisation of the process of peat extraction in the last decade has had serious impacts on the dwindling peatland resource of Ireland. In the past traditional hand cutting of turf took generations to produce a significant impact, but the use of machinery has greatly accelerated this process. More peat is being harvested over a wider area of bog and on a semi-commercial basis. This has altered the meaning of `turbary rights' in the traditional sense to permit semi-industrial extraction.

Turbary or the right of private individuals to cut turf for domestic use has been carried out for centuries in rural areas of Ireland. A report entitled the Irish Peatland Conservation Plan 2000 prepared by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (see Editors Note 1) estimates that since the 15th century traditional turbary has been responsible for the loss of 319,420ha of bog or 30% of the original area of peatland in Ireland.

"Conflicts between turf cutting (turbary) and conservation arise only where peat extraction is occurring on those sites that are of conservation value, namely on Natural Heritage Areas or on Natural Nature Reserves", says Dr. Peter Foss, Chairman of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.

The complexity of the problem might best be demonstrated by Clara Bog in County Offaly where 145 individuals still retain rights to cut turf on the periphery of the National Nature Reserve. These turbary rights are incompatible with the management, restoration and future conservation of the site, which is being adversely affected by this activity. If this site is to be protected and rehabilitated, turbary must cease.

To date Government has paid little attention to the continued impact of turbary on conservation worthy sites and has given little time to resolving the conflict between the right of the individual to cut turf for domestic use with the need for wildlife conservation.

"The Government must allocate sufficient man power and an adequate budget to resolve the conflicts between turbary and conservation objectives", says Dr Foss. "This will also require changes in planning regulations, to differentiate between semi-industrial and private turf extraction schemes."

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 work of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council is supported by the FÁS Community Employment Program.

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