NEWS FROM FIE: Government's bog management plan 'abuse of Habitats Directive'

PRESS RELEASE

Proposed National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 'Abuse of Habitats Directive'

One of the many bogs cut this year in defiance of EU law. Monivea bog, near Athenry, Co. Galway. A priority habitat Natura 2000 site: one of the EU's most important peatland sites. Decimated by machine cutting on the weekend of 26/27 May 2012
Photo: FIE Aerial survey

15 June, 2012

Environmental groups have written to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan and Chairman of the Peatlands Council Conor Skehan claiming that the recently circulated Management Plan for raised bogs SACs is an abuse of the Habitats Directive.

The letter from Friends of the Irish Environment, which is supported by 6 leading environmental groups, states that the proposed development of conservation objectives while producing a Management Plan that will allow damage to the designated bogs is an 'abuse of the process' required by the Habitats Directive.

The groups are also opposed to the prioritisation of relocation from the designated bogs, claiming that 'The first priority should be the transition to sustainable energy which environmental NGOs have consistently put forward as the only solution which would integrate the various government policies in this regard - and the best solution from the point of view of the householder currently reliant on turf.'

FIE, which recently undertook an aerial survey of 21 protected bogs showing that 17 of them had been cut this year, emphatically rejected the proposal for continued cutting on 15 sites. A spokesman said that there were no 'imperative reasons of overriding public interest' for continued peat extraction, and that 'in fact the public interest is clearly in the other direction'. The group says it has reports of a number of other protected sites cut this year.

The Plan's proposal to use the damage inflicted on the bogs by this unauthorized cutting as a basis for de-designation is also criticised, as the NGOs cite the legislation which states that only damage caused by 'natural deterioration' can be used to de-designated a protected site.

The letter also criticises the government for raising the turf cutters' expectations unjustifiably, via this proposed National Plan, 'in a way that will inevitably lead to further conflict next year'.

It expresses dismay that the 'recently approved powers to confiscate machinery which is being used to damage SACs is not being exercised.' It says that because the hopper used for spreading turf is a specialised machine 'there can only be a limited number in the country and the confiscation of these will cause significant logistical obstacles to further law-breaking.'

The NGOs also urge the Minister to use his new powers confiscate the turf illegally cut on more than 20 bogs this year and to put it immediately to good use by using the material to block the drains to begin the rehabilitation of the bogs

The letter concludes that any Plan 'must be designed to improve transposition and implementation of the Habitats Directive, not to facilitate or reward ongoing non-implementation or non-compliance.'

Further Information: Tony Lowes 027 74771 / 087 2176316

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LETTER

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES FROM OUR AERIAL SURVEY

This Press Release is supported by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, Birdwatch International, FEASTA, IDEA, VOICE, and Forest Friends

Friends of the Irish Environment Environment is a voluntary network of committed and experienced environmentalists established in 1997 with a special interest in European Environmental law who seek to help individuals and groups working for sustainable development. We are a registered company and a member of the Irish Environmental Network and the European Environment Bureau. Please help us by making a contribution, however small. Thank you!