Vol. 564 No. 5
413 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in regard to the completion of the Teagasc assessment of the impact of farming practices on the Shannon Callows, if he will indicate when a meeting will take place with representatives of the landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9876/03]
421 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will outline the recommendations of the Teagasc report on behalf of Dúchas on the Shannon Callows; when this report was submitted to Dúchas; the action he intends to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9845/03]
422 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in regard to the completion of the Teagasc report on the impact of a special area of conservation designation on the Shannon Callows, when a meeting will take place with representatives of landowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9848/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 421 and 422 together.
A working group was established some time ago comprising representatives from my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Food, the main farming organisations and BirdWatch Ireland. Its task was to agree recommendations for the management of callow land within the middle Shannon Callows special protection area and in particular for management of corncrakes and breeding waders. The measures involved are envisaged for application under the rural environment protection scheme or farm plans approved by my Department.
To assist the working group an expert team, comprised of two nominated Teagasc specialists and two specialists from a firm of agricultural consultants, was commissioned to prepare a report on losses and costs that would arise from implementation of the draft prescriptions in respect of the types of farming activities carried out on the callows. This report, dated September 2002, is now to hand.
My Department has examined aspects of the report. A meeting of the working group is planned in the near future to advance its agenda to conclusion.
