Vol. 466 No. 1
220 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the plans, if any, she has to ensure that hedge trimming undertaken under the rural environmental protection scheme is undertaken in such a manner that native deciduous trees are not destroyed. [11024/96]
Measure 5 under the rural environment protection scheme provides for the maintenance of farm and field boundaries. The objective of this measure is, inter alia, to manage hedgerows in the interests of stock control, wildlife and the scenic appearance of the rural countryside.
The Department's agri-environmental specifications set out the practices necessary to achieve this objective. Farmers, under REPS, are required to implement an agri-environmental plan drawn up by an approved REPS planning agency. Such plans must specify the works to be undertaken by the participant farmer in all obligatory areas. In so far as measure 5 is concerned the plan must set out the annual work programme to be undertaken to manage hedgerows and the upkeep of stonewalls. This work must be undertaken in a phased manner which minimise wildlife disturbance. Deciduous trees are an essential component of wildlife habitats and, as such, should not be trimmed in the context of hedgerow maintenance.
I am satisfied that the relevant measure under REPS, properly applied, will ensure that hedge trimming works will not destroy native deciduous trees.
