The impact of radical biodiversity proposals on farmers and rural communities cannot be ignored by policy makers, the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) has insisted.

European Commission proposals which could see 100,000ha of Ireland’s drained peatlands rewetted by 2050 has sparked an angry reaction from farmers and rural dwellers.

The INHFA claimed the Commission and state authorities had failed to address the impact of environmental restrictions on rural communities in the past and it warned against repeating this mistake.

INHFA president Vincent Roddy pointed out that no assessment of the impact of natura designations on farmers or the wider rural community has been compiled by any Irish authorities.

Designations

“This is despite the fact that Article 2(3) of the EU Habitats Directive clearly states how ‘Measures taken pursuant to this Directive shall take account of economic, social and cultural requirements and regional and local characteristics’,” Roddy explained.

The INHFA leader maintained that proposals to rewet extensive tracts of drained peatlands will ultimately lead to further designations.

He said this had implications not only for existing farming operations, but also for other businesses located in rural settings and for the potential of local residents to build homes in these areas.

“In addressing the [European] Commission proposals which target our drained peatlands, we are concerned that these lands will be subject to a strictly protected designation,” Roddy said.

Rewilding

“A strictly protected designation will not allow for any activity, farming or otherwise, and is effectively rewilding,” he claimed.

Roddy added that buffer zones of up to 15km, which could be put in place around strictly protected sites, will add to the restrictions imposed on local communities.

The INHFA leader also questioned the performance of existing designations from a natural environment and biodiversity perspective.

He claimed National Parks and Wildlife Service reports suggested that the vast majority of habitats had regressed or stayed the same since their initial designation.

“Before we charge down the road of more designations and the associated restrictions, it is vital that we first assess the current designations,” Roddy said.

Under the draft proposals from DG Environment, peatlands in Ireland and other EU states will be targeted for rewetting and various restoration measures.

These could include a ban on ploughing, strict limits on chemical fertiliser usage and curbs on cropping. Ireland has 300,000ha of drained peatlands.