Consultation Calls

Title: Consultation on cessation of turf cutting
Location: Department of Environment
Deadline: 17/07/09

The deadline for submissions to the working group on the cessation of turf cutting is July 17. Submissions can be made by email to designated.bogs@environ.ie

Article on Department website, dated 27/03/09

http://www.environ.ie/en/Heritage/NationalParksandWildlife/News/MainBody,19872,en.htm

Government approves continuation of turf cutting for 2009

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr John Gormley, today (27 Mar 09) announced that the Government is putting in place a broad consultative process to prepare for the phasing out of domestic turf cutting on designated raised bog Special Areas of Conservation and Natural Heritage Areas over the coming years. Turf cutting on over 95% of Irish peatlands, will be unaffected. In addition, cutting on blanket bog Special Areas of Conservation will be allowed to continue under the current restrictions.

Cutting on all bogs during 2009 will be allowed to continue as before.

Most bogs not affected
A derogation, permitting a ten year continuation of cutting for domestic use, which was granted by the Government in 1999, expires this year on 32 raised bogs. The Minister said that only a small proportion, 4%, of peatlands in the State would be affected by this measure. There are over 1,500 raised bogs in the State and only 139 of these have been designated for nature protection.

Proposals to be drawn up for bogs affected
The Minister announced the establishment of a working group to examine and report on issues involved in implementing the cessation and undertaking the restoration of these bogs. This group is to report back to the Government by the autumn with proposals on methods of compensation, where appropriate, overall costs, possible sources of funding, and on the administration of the cessation of turf cutting and restoration of these bogs. The Working Group will be made up of officials from relevant Government Departments, Offices and Agencies and will be required to consult widely with relevant interests.
Ireland has large portion of EU’s remaining raised bogs
The Minister said: “Raised bogs are hugely important and support exceptional but increasingly rare ecosystems. Because of this they are priority habitats under the EU Habitats Directive and Ireland is legally obliged to protect them. We have already exploited over 95% of the raised bogs that we once had. It is right for us to ensure protection of a small proportion of what remains. Although the Government has operated a voluntary purchase scheme for the past 10 years, and restrictions have been in place for cutting on designated raised bogs, these measures have been unsuccessful in protecting these bogs. The scientific advice is very clear. Continued turf-cutting on protected raised bogs is incompatible with their preservation. Therefore the Government has no option but to bring about a complete cessation of turf cutting on these sites, as signalled in 1999.” said Minister Gormley

“Last year, I published a review of the state of our habitats that revealed severe and continuing damage to protected raised bogs.  Because of continued turf-cutting and associated drainage, we are losing the last remnants of this rare habitat at a rate of 2% to 4% per annum.”

“I am setting up the Working Group to consider and report back as a matter of urgency on questions such as the provision of compensation, where appropriate, and how to achieve effective preservation and restoration of these bogs. The Government is fully aware of the concerns of people using these bogs at present, and of those interested in their preservation. The Working Group will be asked to invite the views of interested parties and give them an opportunity to raise concerns they might have.”  Minister Gormley added.

Bogs Contribute to Carbon Reduction, Reduced Flooding and Water Quality
The Minister added that intact bogland is a valuable long term resource as a carbon sink.    “Active or growing bogs take carbon from the atmosphere and store it. Restoring these bogs will be positive in terms of climate change mitigation”. Intact bogs also serve as reservoirs for water and help to mitigate against flooding.

ENDS

Note for Editors

· The total area of bogland available for cutting peat is 850,000 hectares which includes all blanket bog and raised bog areas with the potential to extract turf.

· The maximum total area for which is proposed to end turf cutting now or in the future is 35,000ha or just over 4%.

· The total area of privately owned raised bog habitat on the 32 bogs on which it is now proposed to end cutting by the end of 2009 is estimated to be 7,774 hectares or less than 1%. The State has already acquired a third of the area of these bogs.

Media queries:
Press and Information Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: press-office@environ.ie
Web site: www.environ.ie