Call for Hen Harrier issue to be resolved
FARMERS IN designated Hen Harrier areas, who claim their land is devalued by up to €1,000 an acre, want the Government to speed up the implementation of a compensation package or else abolish the protected areas for the endangered bird of prey.
A previous compensation package, for which only some farmers in designated areas were approved, was suspended in 2010 and, according to the IFA, there is still no development in implementing a replacement compensation structure.
‘It is completely unacceptable that the responsible Departments have not come up with a plan to deal with this by now. The livelihoods of our farmer members are at risk and a solution must be sought immediately,' said IFA Farm Forestry Chairman, Michael Fleming.
The Hen Harrier is protected nationwide and farmers in upland areas in particular are affected, including those in a large tract of north Kerry. The IFA held a public meeting in Charleville on Hen Harrier issues and 220 farmers attended to discuss the matter and hear presentations from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture.
Mr Fleming said the IFA requested the meeting to give farmers an opportunity to raise their concerns with the relevant Departments who were invited to the meeting. “The take home message was loud and clear - either the designation is removed or the farmers are adequately compensated for this burden on their land,' he said.
The NPWS said at the meeting that a Threat Response Plan is currently being compiled in order to deal with the Hen Harrier issue, however it will be 12 months before a draft version is available for consultation. The IFA insisted that an interim system should be put in place until this is developed.
'A delegation from the IFA will meet with Minister Jimmy Deenihan again on this matter and negotiate a fair deal for those in designated Hen Harrier areas', Mr Fleming said.