Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
280. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views that controlled burning of heather is an agricultural activity in the same way that topping in a lowland situation is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44226/15]
View answerAgricultural activity is defined under Article 4.1.(c) of EU 1307/2017 as follows:
"agricultural activity" means:
(i) production, rearing or growing of agricultural products, including harvesting, milking, breeding animals, and keeping animals for farming purposes,
(ii) maintaining an agricultural area in a state which makes it suitable for grazing or cultivation without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries, based on criteria established by Member States on the basis of a framework established by the Commission.
Article 4.1 of Delegated Regulation 639/2014 gives Member States two options as to how to give effect to Article 4.1.(c) of 1307/2013. Ireland chose option (b) of this article which states:
“Member States set out the characteristics to be met by an agricultural area in order to be deemed maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation ”.
In the context of the Regulations above, controlled burning may be considered in certain limited circumstances as set out in the Guide to Land Eligibility.
