Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 5

Written Answers. - Fencing of Commonage.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

173 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that no ecological damage from overgrazing will result from the fencing of commonage: his views on whether the economic benefits to the sheep farmers concerned will lift them out of the welfare trap; if hill-walkers or other environmentalists have expressed the view that the penning of mountain sheep which are traditionally grazed freely is an environmentally retrograde step; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14233/95]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

Commonage in this country is, for the most part, privately owned land which is held in common by two or more shareholders. While my Department provides technical and legal assistance for commonage divisions which meet certain established criteria the initiative in commonage division rests with owners.

I am not aware of any claims by hill walkers or other environmentalists that overgrazing is greater on fenced than on commonage land.

As I announced recently, with the agreement of the European Commission, I am introducing a number of amendments to the Rural Environment Protection Scheme aimed at tackling the problem of overgrazing by sheep on commonages in designated hill areas.