Vol. 558 No. 3
174 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the situation regarding compensation for special areas of conservation; if there are proposals to change this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20680/02]
The designation of special areas of conservation, SACs, does not in itself give rise to any entitlement to, or need for, compensation. Compensation is payable only where there are actual losses arising from designation.
Proposals have been received from the main farming organisations seeking to review matters of compensation and related issues. An initial meeting was held with the Irish Farmers Association on 7 October to review, in particular, implementation of compensation for farmers-landowners in designated SACs, as well as in special protection areas, SPAs, and natural heritage areas, NHAs. A further meeting was held yesterday, 27 November, to be attended also by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, to discuss these matters. Discussions will continue.
