Written Answers. - Wildlife Habitats.
Martin Brady
Ceist:
479
Mr. M. Brady
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands
the proposals, if any, she has to regulate the cutting of hedgerows with mechanical equipment by landowners at certain times of the year in a manner that is destructive to the natural habitats and breeding environments of wildlife; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21575/99]
As I stated in my response to related Question No. 195 of 1 April 1999, I am keenly aware of the importance of protecting hedgerows and avoiding the disturbance of wildlife during the nesting season. In the absence of native woodlands, hedgerows are extremely important for the maintenance of biological diversity, particularly for birds.
Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, provides protection against the cutting, grubbing and burn ing of hedgerows on uncultivated land during the nesting season from 15 April to 31 August, subject to certain exceptions. This year, as in previous years, Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department, wrote to all local authorities requesting that works to hedgerows be undertaken outside that crucial nesting period.
I am also aware that the Department of the Environment and Local Government, in its guidance notes to local authorities on the Roads Act, 1993, and its road grants memorandum, has underlined the importance of carrying out roadside trimming during the winter season and has emphasised that the timing of trimming work and the manner of its execution should minimise damage to the ecology of hedgerows.
In relation to agriculture, the rural environment protection scheme, administered by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, also promotes the conservation and maintenance of existing features, such as hedgerows, that make up farmland habitat.
The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 1999, which was published on 1 July 1999, will strengthen the protection afforded to hedgerows under section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976. Protection will extend from the 1 April, rather than 15 April, as is now the case. Furthermore, the existing exemption in respect of works being duly carried out by a Minister of State, or a body established or regulated by or under statute, will be restricted to circumstances where reasons of public health or safety apply.
In addition, under the national biodiversity plan which I am preparing, some possible measures to improve the conservation of hedgerows have been identified and I intend to afford further consideration to those measures in the context of the finalisation of the plan.
