Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
6 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the recent study by Birdlife International that found that 43% of bird species in Europe are under threat; the implications for Ireland’s natural environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32760/04]
View answerI welcome the contribution being made by Birdlife International and locally by BirdWatch Ireland to our understanding of the threats being faced by Europe's and Ireland's birdlife. A total of 43% of bird species in Europe and 31% of bird species in Ireland are recorded as under threat and these figures are clearly a matter of serious concern. On the other hand, some new bird species have recently started to breed in Ireland and other threatened ones have been recolonising their traditional sites.
Changing land use and the intensification of agriculture are considered to be the main factors in the observed declines in many wild bird species. Populations of migratory birds that winter or breed in Ireland can be affected both by conditions in Ireland or elsewhere.
Legal protection for all species of birds is provided under the Wildlife Acts 1976 and 2000. Open seasons and licences for the hunting of certain species are given only on the basis of sustainability and never in the case of threatened species.
The protection of habitats is also a key measure in the protection of our wild birds. Designation of special protection areas and special areas of conservation under the EU birds and habitats directives, respectively, enhances the protection of all birds, in particular those regarded as rare, vulnerable and endangered, including migratory species, and contributes to the maintenance of suitable habitats for wild birds in Ireland. The equivalent of 14% of the country's land area is covered by these designations and 110 SPA sites have been designated specifically for the protection of wild birds. I will shortly make the legal instruments designating a number of further special protection areas largely on uninhabited islands off the west coast.
I also welcome the changes in EU support for farming, notably decoupling and a drive towards more ecologically aware farming practices under the rural environmental protection scheme, which provide incentives for a deintensification of farming that should benefit our wild bird populations. This combination of specific protection for species, the protection of important bird habitats, and changes in farming practice will bring about improvements to the environment and prospects for our resident and visiting species of birds.
That species of birds are under threat indicates what is happening to our environment and serves as a warning to us regarding global warming. I welcome the Minister's commitment to making progress on this issue.
Does the Minister believe that, in terms of the Kyoto agreement and what we are doing about global warming and related issues, we need a new approach in Ireland, particularly in the context of polluting industries? Could we have a cross-party review in this House to discuss what we need to do regarding all these matters? What is happening to birds is but one indicator of environmental problems. There are many others. Global warming is the real threat, given recent weather patterns, storms, flooding and so on. It is a very serious indicator that things are really bad and we need to do much more. Perhaps this is something we can all do together.
National surveys have been and continue to be carried out using standard approaches and methodology. The protection afforded by the designation of the special protection areas, the natural heritage areas and the special areas of conservation will contribute to the maintenance of suitable habitats for wild birds. Together with the environmental benefits from improved practices under the rural environment protection scheme operated by the Department of Agriculture and Food, that will represent a significant benefit for the protection of our birds. I re-emphasise that there are indications that other species of birds are now beginning to manifest themselves in Ireland that are becoming extinct in other countries. The basis of the Deputy's question does not, therefore, hold. However, there is much work to be done and we will continue with that. I hope the further designation I will announce in the near future will help.
