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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1997

Vol. 477 No. 1

Written Answers. - Special Areas of Conservation.

Tony Killeen

Ceist:

29 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the discussions, if any, he or officials at his Department have had with their counterparts in the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in relation to farming practices in special areas of conservation and the boundaries of such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8388/97]

The Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, in conjunction with my Department, as well as the relevant farming and environmental interests have agreed farming conditions for the majority of habitat types designated as special areas of conservation — SACs. These farming conditions were agreed for the Burren on 17 November 1995 and for blanket bogs, heaths and upland grasslands on 4 October 1997. It has been accepted that such farming conditions agreed for proposed natural heritage areas — NHAs — will also be the conditions to apply to SACs of the same habitat types. Farming conditions for a number of habitat types have yet to be agreed by the various interests. However, the consultation process in this regard will continue until appropriate farming conditions are arrived at.

The matter of boundaries of SACs is the responsibility of the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. However, as the Deputy is probably aware, any farmer or landowner whose lands are designated as a SAC may appeal such designation on scientific grounds.

The Deputy may be assured that my Department and the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht have made and will continue to make every effort to have farming conditions agreed for all habitat types which meet the twin objectives of sustainable farming and habitat conservation.

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