Almost a year on from first raising concerns with respect to new regulations with respect to the drainage of marginal lands composed of peaty and mineral soils, Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Independent Ireland) says he has has been reliably informed that the incoming Government intends to pass regulations in the coming weeks/months which will require landowners and farmers to apply for planning permission before they can shore/drain their lands: “This will have a catastrophic impact on farmers in the west, midlands, north west and south-west of Ireland.
“What is being proposed is that with respect to lands composed of mineral soils over five hectares will need to obtain planning permission in order to shore/land-drain their lands. However, most alarmingly with respect to peat soils (approximately 10 inches deep), a land owner would have to obtain planning permission to shore an area as little as .2 hectares which, for context, is little more than the size of a small site for a house.
“What this will mean for the BISS payment (CAP payment) is that, without planning permission, a farmer will not be able to make a new drain or land-drain their land, without facing a penalty under the scheme. This will be dictated based on the maps that indicate if an area comes under the heading of peaty soil.
“All along the western seaboard and into the midlands, virtually every farmer holds land such as this. These lands were always shored or what some farmers call land-drained, as it makes farming these lands more sustainable.
“The reality of the new regulations is that farmers with peaty soils will have to go through the expense and aggravation of obtaining planning permission to shore more than .2 hectares of land. From what I am hearing, it is unlikely planning permission would be easily granted.
“Yet again, the Government has talked big about supporting agriculture and supporting the intergenerational transfer of farm holding but right out of the gate, we see a retrograde regulatory move being prepared to be rubber-stamped, in contravention with the stated objectives in the Programme for Government.
“I am calling on politicians across the spectrum, and farm organisations, to join together and make sure these regulations are not signed into law as it will have a detrimental effect on Irish farming, particularly in areas with marginal land quality.
“If this keeps going the way it is going, it will drive farmers and in particular young people in the west and midlands of the country out of business and make farming on marginal lands unsustainable. This is not in keeping with the objectives of a fair society, where those lucky enough to have all good quality lands will not be faced with insurmountable technical challenges that are being placed on those who, through no fault of their own, must try to make a living on marginal lands.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office has been contacted for comment on Deputy Fitzmauice’s remarks.