Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Overgrazing by Sheep.

John Gormley

Question:

115 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his Department has received a reasoned opinion from DG11 on the subject of overgrazing, which is a major contributory factor in the contamination of many water supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10675/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

The EU Commission have recently issued a reasoned opinion to Ireland concerning the implementation of Directive 79/409 EEC (the Birds Directive) which is the responsibility of the Minister for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.

The opinion contains references to damage caused by overgrazing by sheep and my Department is addressing this problem through the rural environment protection scheme (REPS). An improved package of measures in REPS has been drawn up to address environmental conservation in NHAs and commonages. One of the measures includes the introduction of cross-compliance to prevent overgrazing in commonage areas.

With effect from 1 January 1998, sheep producers with commonage land in areas classified as overgrazed, including such commonages in areas designated by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands as natural heritage areas, including special areas of conservation (SACs) under the EU Habitats Directive and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) under the Birds Directive, are required to indicate their intention to participate in an approved agri-environment programme in order to qualify for ewe premium/rural world premium and sheep headage payments. A farmer may decide to participate in an agri-environmental programme under REPS or in a national scheme operated by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to meet this requirement.

In addition, the new measures provide that overall framework plans for commonages are drawn up to ensure that sheep numbers are confined to sustainable levels in these areas. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands will oversee the development and implementation of these plans.

I am confident that these new comprehensive measures will be successful in combating the problem of overgrazing.