26 Feb 2013, 17:17
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine this afternoon heard farmers organisations call for greater flexibility for farmers on commonage lands.
26 February 2013
Representatives from the Irish Farmers' Association and the United Farmers Association were before the Committee to discuss proposals to ensure good agricultural and environmental practices on such farms. It is part of a continuing series of meetings the Committee is hosting on the use of commonage lands.
Chairman of the Committee Andrew Doyle TD says: “The meeting this afternoon provided an opportunity for us to hear the distinct perspectives of the Irish Farmers Association and the United Farmers Association. Our Committee heard that farmers in commonage areas are generally on relatively lower incomes. Such farm incomes are vital for the sustainability of many communities along the western seaboard in particular, with the impact of the recession compounded by the fall off in tourism and fishing.
\"Our Committee heard that any changes in such sensitive areas must be undertaken with great care. We take on board the argument that undergrazing, rather than overgrazing, is a now a greater threat to many commonages. Both groups argued for greater liaison with farmers on the ground. We also heard a call for a survey to assess the extent of dormant land on commonages nationwide.
“Given the diversity that exists within commonages across Ireland, we acknowledge that flexibility for farmers must be central to any proposals. Both presentations today will inform our Committee on what national policies on the use of commonage lands might be appropriate. The necessity for a common-sense approach, with farmer consultation and grounded in the wider economic realities, will underpin any Committee recommendations on the issue.”
Ends
For further information contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 6949926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Membership
Deputies:
Tom Barry, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael (Vice-Chair)
Martin Ferris, Sinn Féin
Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael (Chair)
Martin Heydon, Fine Gael
Colm Keaveney, Labour
Michael McNamara, Labour
Eamon Ó Cuiv, Fianna Fáil
Thomas Pringle, Independent
Senators:
Michael Comiskey, Fine Gael
Paschal Mooney, Fianna Fáil
Pat O’Neill, Fine Gael
Mary Ann O’Brien, Independent
Brian Ó Domhnaill, Fianna Fáil
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour