Specific Details
Wildlife Legislation Review
Intended results
To highlight how the complexity of the current wildlife legislation has led to confusion and inconsistencies. The existing framework, including the Wildlife Act 1976, the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000, and the European Communities (Birds and Habitats) Regulations 2011 lack coherence, which make it challenging to interpret, to enforce effectively and often hinder effective conservation efforts.
To propose that a multi-stakeholder Wildlife Legislation Review Group should be established as part of the review process with the objective to support the review of legislation and ensure meaningful engagement with stakeholders.
To propose that a new ‘Farming for Habitat and Farming for Species' payment needs to be introduced to maximise environmental gain and compensate farmers who suffered a loss in income when EIP projects such as the Hen Harrier, Pearl Mussel, Burren Schemes end. Hill and Designated areas should be eligible for the payment.
To propose that, given its strategic importance and necessary transition at the farm level, a significant proportion of the Infrastructure, Climate & Nature Fund must be ring-fenced and directed toward on-farm interventions and diversification activities, with higher rates afforded to farmers operating on designated lands.
To propose that no further restrictions should apply to lands currently designated. Instead, increased support (advisory, financial etc.) should be provided, and agricultural activity should be allowed to continue.
To propose that, in consultation with IFA, a full review of the internal operating system surrounding designations, compensation and applications for ARC's is required because the existing system is not fit for purpose.
To propose that an appropriate compensation provision, funded independently of CAP, is required to ensure farmers currently affected by designation are adequately compensated for the farming restrictions placed on them and to account for loss of earnings and land devaluation. Compensation should be permanent and in place as long as the designation is in place. A ‘no compensation, no designation' policy should apply.
To propose that meaningful consultation and engagement with farmers are required before the imposition of any designation. The abrupt imposition, without any meaningful engagement, of designations on farmland to date has been unacceptable and has hampered the attainment of conservation objectives. An independent mechanism needs to be provided for farmers wishing to appeal the proposed designation.
To propose that a clear process of ‘delisting' or ‘de-designating' currently designated lands needs to be agreed and enforced without delay.
To propose that, in consultation with IFA and following the original Farm Plan scheme construct, an independent body should be set up or engaged with regard to any review/revised Farm Plan Scheme costings and payments.
To propose that the Farm Plan scheme should operate alongside other agri-environmental schemes, better profiled, and additional funding allocated to offer bespoke management plans and pay all farmers where, due to designation of land, restrictions are imposed on farming and lands significantly devalued.
To propose that the legislation must explicitly state that the restoration measures set out in Ireland's National Restoration Plan will be voluntary for farmers to reflect the statements from both European Commission and Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Malcom Noonan.
To propose that an ecological impact assessment is undertaken as part of the development of the National Restoration Plan to consider the potential unforeseen and displacement effects to residing species, including therein the loss of essential habitats and/or the spread of disease (such as TB) as a result of the restoration and rewetting of peatlands
To propose that the current ability under the legislation to undertake prescribed or controlled burning must be maintained without additional restrictions or conditions. Controlled burning provides multiple benefits to the local ecosystem including consumption of excess vegetation, reduced risk and intensity of wildfires, can help to reduce the spread of invasive and pest species and shifts soil nutrients to grow grasses.
To propose that Policy incentives rather than increased regulation should be used support less intensive management of existing hedgerows.
To propose that in exceptional circumstances, to aid increased user safety given concentration of farm activity, consideration should be given to the provision of one-week grace end August, to undertake necessary roadside hedge-cutting.
To propose that, given its almost universal incidence, and inherent danger posed to all road users, legislative provision should be made for Local Authorities to safety remove all impacted trees as a matter of urgency.
To propose that the establishment of a comprehensive predator control framework, integrated into national wildlife legislation, that allows for targeted and comprehensive population control based on scientific evidence. Such a framework should include regular monitoring of predator and prey populations to ensure interventions are timely and proportionate and licenses for predator control issued based on ecological data, rather than blanket protections.
To propose that the recommendations from the Legislation sub-committee of the Deer Management Strategy Group report should be implemented in full in the review.
To propose that the legislation must facilitate the control of badger populations to sustainable levels to reduce the spread of the disease between badgers and cattle.
To propose that the development of a standardised multi-annual derogation framework based on scientific data that consider species population trends to ensure both effective conservation and the protection of rural livelihoods.
To propose that farmers must not be restricted under the wildlife legislation from protecting their crops from excessive commercial damage or the health and wellbeing of their livestock from attacks.
To propose that time must be provided for Wildlife Enforcement and Nature Protection unit to embed prior to introducing additional restrictions, enforcement powers and/or penalties.
Darragh O'Brien
Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
Malcolm Noonan
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)