Farm org claims assurance on nature restoration is ‘misinformation'
The Irish Natura and Hill Farmers' Association (INHFA) has called on Minister of State for nature, Christopher O'Sullivan, to 'clarify the ongoing misinformation relating to the suggestion that the state has the necessary land to deliver on our obligations under the Nature Restoration Law'.
According to INHFA president Vincent Roddy, some public representatives 'continue to push the narrative that the state can deliver the necessary land to meet all our obligations'.
Roddy claimed that this is 'clearly not true'.
'This narrative is clear miss-direction because the state obligation they are referring to only relates to commitments for rewetting detailed under article 11 of the Nature Restoration Law and will include approximately 100,000ha,' he said.
'While this is helpful, we must understand that this is a tiny element in the overall land area and commitments required, under a law that will impact at least 1.6 million hectares,' Roddy added.
The INHFA, along with other farm organisations and stakeholders, are currently part of an ongoing process to develop a nature restoration plan for Ireland, which is required under the law.
The organisation's president called for 'honesty' in this process.
'Starting this process on a lie as obvious as this is a major red flag and does get you wondering what else is being spun, lied about or withheld,' Roddy commented.
According to the INHFA president, the state may own enough land to meet rewetting obligations under Article 11 of the Nature Restoration Law, but Article 4 of the law covers restoration of existing habitats and re-establishment of lost habitats, which, Roddy suggested, will take in more land than the state can provide for itself.
'Farmers, landowners, and rural communities continue to be misled through clever manipulation into believing that there isn't a direct threat to their property,' he claimed.
'It is time that the minister publicly clarifies that the state had not near enough land to meet all the obligations that will be required though the NRL,' Roddy said.
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