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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Feb 1999

Vol. 501 No. 1

Written Answers. - Rural Environment Protection Scheme.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

46 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has satisfied himself that no farmer participating in the REP scheme has used mechanical diggers or engaged a contractor to do so in the course of implementing measure five of the rural environment protection scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1037/9]

The objective of measure 5 of the REPS and agri-environmental specifications is the management of hedgerows on a phased basis to encourage their development with a diversity of height, stages of growth and form in the interests of wildlife, stock control and scenic appearance.

I am aware that complaints have been made in relation to the use of mechanical diggers in the implementation of the requirements of measure 5. However, where damage has been caused by non-adherence to the specifications suitable penalties are imposed by my Department under the scheme.
In order to make the specifications more explicit in this respect, measure 5 has been reviewed and significant changes have been made in relation to hedgerow maintenance. Under these farmers will be encouraged to retain quality hedgerows and to confine maintenance to essential practices such as stockproofing, inplanting with suitable species and the control of invasive species. The use of mechanical diggers and machinery of a similar type in the maintenance of hedgerows will in future be prohibited. I shall be issuing the revised specifications shortly.
In addition, pending the issue of the revised specifications, my Department recently issued a circular to all approved REPS planners advising them of the revision to measure 5 of the REPS scheme and, that pending the distribution of the revised specifications, requesting them to bear in mind that quality mature hedgerows should be retained in their entirety with maintenance confined to inplantings, the control of invasive species and stockproofing when preparing or reviewing REPS plan.
I am confident that these new specifications will address the concerns which have been voiced in regard to the implementation of the measure.
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