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

PEATLAND 2000 STRATEGY LAUNCHED

For immediate release 17 October 1996

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council (see Editor's Note 1) in association with The Heritage Council today launched a strategy for the conservation of Irish Bogs entitled - the Irish Peatland Conservation Plan 2000.

Speaking at the launch Dr. Eanna Ní Lamhna, Patron of the IPCC said that "the area of conservation worthy peatlands has crashed from an estimated 900,000ha in the 1940's to less than 150,000ha today." The last remaining bogs are threatened by peat extraction, forestry and overgrazing.

Ms Freda Rountree, Chairperson of the Heritage Council said that in its advisory role to government the Council are preparing a nature conservation strategy and will be taking on board the recommendations made in the IPCC's Irish Peatland Conservation Plan 2000. The Peatland Conservation Plan 2000 is being circulated to all government, non government, EU bodies, and industries which have a role to play in the conservation or development of peatlands.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council wants to see a commitment from these groups to develop a nature conservation strategy for peatlands as part of a natural land use plan and a political undertaking to integrate this into all government policies by the year 2000.

Dr. Ní Lamhna also added that "all IPCC members have been asked to write to Michael D. Higgins TD asking him to bring in new legislation, tighten planning laws, and step up the purchase of threatened bogs as part of a commitment to conserving these habitats - the last of their kind in Europe.

The Peatland Conservation Plan 2000 can be ordered from the IPCC, price £15.00 inclusive of P&P, by writing to Oscar Duggan, IPCC, 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1.

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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