Vol. 495 No. 7
217 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the danger to the hedgerow ecosystem in rural Ireland caused by the extensive programme of hedge cutting under measure 5 of the REP scheme; and the steps, if any, he will take to prevent this destruction. [20998/98]
Among the objectives of measure 5 of the REP scheme is the management of hedgerows to encourage their development with a diversity of height, stages of growth and form, in the interests of wildlife, stock control and scenic appearance.
The specifications set out suggestions on how to manage hedges including those that require restructuring. A management option is to leave the hedge undisturbed.
In order to strengthen and clarify this measure further, I will be issuing new specifications shortly.
