Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
647. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is compensation available on designated land with an equine breeding programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59881/21]
View answerResponsibility for the designation of lands is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the first instance.
My Department does not have a role in compensating farmers for the designation of their lands. I do, however, recognise that designated lands, by being categorised as part of a Europe wide network of sites known as NATURA 2000 sites under the European Union's Habitats Directive, are important in the context of protecting or environment and biodiversity.
It is in that context that my Department is now examining the possibility of including Natura land within the qualifying features for the Space for Nature action within the new Eco-Schemes which will are scheduled to be introduced under the new Common Agricultural Policy from 2023.
