Vol. 496 No. 3
355 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to address the destruction of rural hedgerows and the attendant loss of biodiversity in terms of landscape, flora and fauna which has arisen from the implementation of the REP scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22355/98]
I should initially draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that the REP scheme is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food.
The Rural Environment Protection Scheme — REPS — is designed to reward farmers for carrying out their activities in an environmentally friendly manner. Under the scheme, protection is afforded to hedgerows under measures 4, 5 and Supplementary Measure 1. The relevant provisions are as follows: Measure 4 — Retain Wildlife Habitats: the objective of this measure is to retain wildlife habitats such as hedgerows. Any interference with specified habitats such as the hedgerow, can only be carried out as part of an agreed plan under REPS. Measure 5 —Maintain Farm and Field Boundaries: the objective of this measure is to maintain boundary and road-side fences and stone walls and to manage hedgerows in the interests of stock control, wildlife and scenic appearance of the area. Farmers and land-owners are required to prepare a five year management and maintenance plan for existing hedgerows on their farms. Where the upkeep of the hedgerows and stonewalls is required over the period of the plan, the work should be carried out in proportionate stages and on a phased basis. Supplementary Measure 1 — the objective of this measure is to conserve environmentally sensitive NHAs of national as well as international significance.
