The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has voiced concern that forestry owners could soon be mandated to carry out more power line corridor maintenance and see ESB corridors running through their lands extended.

A statement released after the IFA met with ESB Networks claims that proposed legislation looks to update the rules around overhead power line corridors in an attempt to prevent a reoccurrence of the widespread electricity outages brought by storm Éowyn.

This proposed legislation would give ESB Networks additional vegetation management powers, allow for changes to be brought forward on the dimensions of power line corridors and put responsibilities on landowners to maintain these corridors, the IFA said.

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The association’s forestry chair Padraig Stapleton stated that there is an onus on the ESB to consult with forestry landowners on these matters and that the “absence of any discussion with the IFA farm forestry committee has been disappointing”.

“Farmers with established forests are extremely concerned about some of the proposals, which include removing the forestry green edge to widen forestry corridors,” Stapleton commented.

“This will leave plantations vulnerable to further windblow or disease outbreaks.

“There is also concern around the proposals seeking to impose maintenance responsibilities on landowners.”

The IFA has said that it will insist on the protection of forestry owners in the legislation proposed.

Ease agreement

Stapleton also said that the ESB has confirmed that no mandatory obligation exists for forestry owners to sign ease agreements for the network to access corridors.

He stated that it is important for forestry owners to know that these agreements are voluntary and are subject to compensation being agreed with them.

“Forestry landowners will encounter significant losses associated with the imposition of a forestry corridor and legal easement on their property and are entitled to full compensation,” he continued.

“An IFA agreement with the ESB on forestry corridors and the loss of tree planting rights, negotiated back in 1992, also needs to be updated.”