Farmers Livid Over Proposals for ‘Reduced Intensity’ on Peat Soils

IFA Deputy President Alice Doyle said farmers will be livid over the absence of any engagement with farmers on plans to reduce production on peat soils.

She said what is referred to in today’s Irish Farmers Journal as ‘reduced intensity proposals’ for farming on peat soils is very concerning.

The report says that a meeting was held with DAFM ‘invited stakeholders’ to discuss reduced intensity proposals, including rewetting, of 80,000ha of peat soils, but no farmers were present.

“Let’s be very clear: driving ahead without any agreement with those who represent farmers is not the way to go,” she said.

IFA has consistently said that measures cannot be imposed in a ‘top down’ manner.

Alice Doyle said the new Government, and indeed the new EU Commission, have emphasised that co-operation and engagement will be central to any discussions about land use.

“The idea that a roundtable would convene and those who own nearly 80% of the land in the country would not be present flies in the face of what farmers have been told would happen,” she said.

The IFA Deputy President said the Department has ground to make up here, and it could start by being open and transparent about their plans.

‘Farmers’ annoyance and frustration about being continually told what they can or cannot do with their own land is increasing, despite soft talk about simplification and reducing red tape,” she said.