Farm org calls for 'no compensation, no designation’ policy to apply
A farm organisation is calling for dedicated funding for farmers on designated lands.
Speaking after a meeting of the designated area monitoring committee was Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Ulster/North Leinster regional chair and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) project team chair Frank Brady.
He has called on Ministers Martin Heydon and Christopher O’Sullivan to "leave no stone unturned" in securing "adequate finance and supports for farmers on designated land in the upcoming budget and climate and nature fund".
“The economic viability and value of the circa 35,000 farms on designated lands must be better protected," Brady said.
"Proper and long-term remuneration for the farming restrictions placed on them, lost earnings and devaluation of land needs to be better provided.
"A ‘no compensation, no designation’ policy should apply."
Brady said that the reintroduction of the Farm Plan Scheme has been positive, but "greater funding is needed to adequately resource it".
He said there must be an increase in awareness and expansion of the number of farm plans on the scheme, with "increased payment rates to reflect the additional costs and burden on farmers whose land is designated".
"It needs to be able to operate alongside other agri-environment schemes where additional land is held too," Brady added.
IFA hill chair Caillin Conneely said designation brings huge added complexity and cost to farms.
“You can’t even go and fence your own land – with or without the support of TAMS - without multiple permissions and possibly environmental assessments," Conneely explained.
"This all takes time and can be very costly, with no guarantee of success at the end of the day.
"Farmers on designated land could have to pay €4,000-5,000 more than those on non-designated land for the same investment. This issue needs to be resolved.”
He said that farmers on designated lands "cannot be disadvantaged, and no further restrictions should apply to lands currently designated".
"Instead, we need increased support, and agricultural activity should be allowed to continue," he continued.
"We are aware of farmers waiting years for a decision on applications submitted regarding Actions Requiring Consent (ARCs). This is unacceptable."
According to the IFA, a "full review of the internal operating dynamic surrounding designations and applications for ARCs is required".
