Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
603. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the restrictions that will apply on Natura 2000 commonage sites in 2014 regarding farming practices and stock numbers; the compensation scheme in place to compensate farmers for these restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46567/13]
View answerThere are no mandatory grazing restrictions currently applying to Natura 2000 commonages, other than the general requirement to maintain the land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC). GAEC is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
In addition, in Natura 2000 sites, the consent of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is required for certain activities known as Notifiable Actions (NAs), which have the potential to damage or interfere with the ecology of a site. The list of NAs notified to landowners when sites were designated continues to apply. Landowners and users should note that there is no general prohibition on the activities listed but there is a requirement to seek and obtain the consent of the Minister where relevant, before works commence. In practice, such consent should be sought initially from the local conservation ranger.
I understand that it is intended through the commonage review process to indicate stocking levels for commonages that ensure that GAEC is maintained, to protect against undergrazing and overgrazing.
My Department is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to seek appropriate measures in the next Rural Development Plan to support sustainable management of commonages.
