Limerick TD Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the announcement that Farmer’s whose lands have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation for the protection of the Hen Harrier, are to be accommodated under the Locally Led Agri-Environment Scheme (LLAES).
“Since I first entered the Dáil in 2011 I have been working with farmers in Limerick and elsewhere who had their farming practices restricted because of designation for Hen Harrier habitat protection. I believe that the announcement by Minister Simon Coveney TD to put a package in place to address the needs of these farmers is the right thing to do and is something that I have used every possible opportunity as a member of Dáil Éireann to fight for.”
“This scheme will be included in an amendment to Ireland’s Rural Development Programme which is to be lodged with the EU Commission in the Spring. Consultation is currently underway and I would encourage all those affected by this issue to participate. Farmers working in Hen Harrier areas are already eligible for GLAS and could earn up to €7,000 per annum through a combination of GLAS and GLAS plus. Speaking at the launch the Minister urged all farmers in Hen Harrier designated areas to participate in the scheme.”
It is expected that up to €40million will be provided for this locally led scheme over five years and the Minister added that Minister Tom Hayes was also looking for the inclusion of a forestry element in the overall package of measures, which may allow farmers in designated areas to plant in the future. This detail, he said, will be worked out between the Departments of Agriculture and Heritage and he was confident of progress being made in the area.”
“I would like to pay tribute to all those who campaigned vigorously on this issue and indeed my colleague the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney TD for being pro-active on this issue. I believe that this decision by the Government is a recognition after years of campaigning, of the plight of landowners in designated areas and I am committed as a TD for Limerick to working with the landowners and their representatives to working to ensure that the scheme is rolled out as soon as possible and makes a positive impact in rural Co. Limerick.