Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
436. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the proposed GLAS scheme, the status of the maximum minimum commonage figures published in 2012 by the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if these will be used in the preparation of rural environment protection scheme plans. [27215/14]
View answerCommonage lands form an important part of the farming enterprises of many farmers, in addition to being crucial from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, amenities and tourism. However, there is a real risk of land abandonment as under-grazing becomes more of a problem. Farming of commonages is a complex matter, with issues about the legal right to claim, in addition to regular disputes about the grazing of the commonages. The vast majority of commonage shareholders do work well together to maintain the commonages in GAEC, or, where there is under-grazing, to return the commonage to GAEC. My intention is that this will be achieved by working with the farmers concerned and all other stakeholders. This process will be all encompassing and will address the specific issue of the minimum and maximum stocking densities in question.
