Commonage farmers claim they have been ‘failed’ by NPWS

Anton McNuty

THE Irish Natura and Hill Farmers’ Association has claimed the National Parks and Wildlife Services has failed commonage farmers.
The farming organisation issued a letter to the Minister for Rural Affairs, Heather Humphreys, seeking a meeting with her to air their ‘serious concerns and questions regarding designated and commonage lands’.
The INHFA is critical of the NPWS for failing to review the Commonage Framework Plan in its 16-year lifetime.
“This failure by the NPWS to re-assess these plans denied farmers the opportunity to change the way they manage their commonage where there could have been insufficient stock due to the compulsory 30 percent de-stocking introduced at the onset of the CFP.
“As a result farmers have found themselves in direct conflict with the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine (DAFM) in relation to the Basic Payment Scheme around land eligibility. This has been outlined to Minister Humphreys and the NPWS, but to-date they have failed to raise these issues with the DAFM,” the INHFA stated.
The letter to Minister Humphreys also raises concerns about whether the Department of Agriculture’s inspectors are adequately trained to assess commonages and designated lands from an environmental and habitat viewpoint.
“We cannot accept having the DAFM inspecting lands and delivering penalties on a basis that undermines farmers who are seeking through agricultural activity to deliver favourable conservation status to these lands.”
The INHFA also raised concerns regarding the 39 actions requiring consent on designated (Natura) lands, especially around fencing, which they feel ‘directly impact on farmers’ ability to manage their lands’.
The INHFA’s letter also demanded to know the expected impact of the new CMP on farmers should it come into force.