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Farmers that burn land during the closed season risk prosecution and exclusion of land from area-based payment schemes, Agriculture Minister Michael Creed has warned.
Burning agricultural and eligible forestry land is not permitted between 1 March and 31 August. Although the Department of Agriculture cannot prosecute farmers for burning land in the closed period, action can be taken An Garda Siochana or the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
In a statement on Friday, Creed said that land that is burned illegally is not eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme and other area-based schemes, such as Areas of Natural Constraint. Claiming payments for illegally burned land could also bring penalties to payments.
“Illegal burning can also render the land of your neighbours ineligible for payment. Where it is identified that lands were burnt during the closed season, this may result in such land being inspected by Department officials,” the statement read.
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