Latest news with #SpecialProtectionAreas
Agriland
31-07-2025
- General
- Agriland
Farmers Need Clarity From Minister on New Derogation Assessments Sinn Fein
Minister Martin Heydon has been urged today (Tuesday, July 8) to "give clarity" to farmers on a European Commission requirement that Ireland 'must demonstrate compliance' with the Habitats Directive when granting farmers a nitrates derogation. The Sinn Féin spokesperson on agriculture, Martin Kenny, said the new requirement from the European Commission, is a "very concerning development for those farmers who require the derogation". The TD for Sligo-Leitrim also believes the direction from the European Commission "will have a serious impact on many farms throughout the country and could potentially in some cases prevent some famers from getting a derogation". There are 600 sites in Ireland designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. Sites range in size from 1ha up to 76,000ha. These sites are designated as either Special Conservation Areas (SAC) and/or Special Protection Areas (SPA). They are generally referred to as Natura 2000 sites. Under the Habitats Directive, any plan or project 'likely to have a significant effect on a designated site or species' must be subject to Appropriate Assessment of its implications for the site. The European Court of Justice has ruled that the 'grazing of cattle and or the application of fertilisers on the surface of land or below its surface' in the vicinity of Natura 2000 sites may be classified as a project. According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the granting of nitrates derogations is considered by the commission to be 'authorisation of a project' and is therefore subject to the assessment requirements of the Habitat's Directive. The DAFM has confirmed that the first stage in the Appropriate Assessment process is screening, which determines if a project 'is likely to have a significant effect on a designated site'. If the project is likely to have an effect – or if it is unclear what the effect might be – then the project must be subject to an Appropriate Assessment, which is a detailed impact assessment of the implications of the project on the 'integrity of a Natura 2000 designated site'. DAFM plans to carry out any screening and Appropriate Assessments at a 'catchment and sub-catchment' scale to deal with the nitrates derogation compliance requirement. There are 46 catchments in Ireland. These catchments are further divided into 583 sub-catchments. According to Deputy Kenny, Minister Heydon needs to provide clarity "on what these assessments involve, how long they will take and what it will mean for farmers.'
Agriland
31-07-2025
- General
- Agriland
MEP tells commission 'stop moving goalposts' on derogation
An Irish MEP has called on the European Commission to clarify the specific conditions required for Ireland to maintain its nitrates derogation. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) yesterday (Monday, July 7) revealed that the commission has told Ireland it 'must demonstrate compliance' with the Habitats Directive when granting farmers a nitrates derogation. There are 600 sites in Ireland designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. Sites range in size from 1 hectare up to 76,000ha. These sites are designated as either Special Conservation Areas (SAC) and or Special Protection Areas (SPA) and are generally referred to as Natura 2000 sites. Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly described the nitrates derogation as "essential to the viability of Ireland's grass-based farming model". The Independent Ireland MEP expressed frustration on behalf of Irish farmers for the additional European regulations that are now being demanded. 'The job of Irish farmers is getting tougher. After months of diligent work on water quality aimed at retaining our nitrates directive, comes yet another demand. "An assessment under the Habitats Directive was never part of this process up to now. It was never needed,' Mullooly said. The MEP said that in improving water quality and meeting existing environmental requirements, the Irish family farmers have delivered on those requests. He added that this has been confirmed by the latest water quality report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showing "significant reductions in nitrate levels'. 'It is the clear understanding of the Irish farming sector that adopting new technologies and strategies to protect water quality, particularly in areas with higher stocking rates per acre, would be sufficient to meet the required standards to retain the derogation. "This derogation is not optional, it's vital for the livelihoods of thousands of farm families. 'Farmers need clarity. I'm calling on the Irish agriculture minister [Martin Heydon] to engage with the commissioner and seek clear, concise guidelines and stop this ridiculous charade that's going on, before the commission moves the goalposts again," Mullooly said.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Daera 'possibly failed' to comply with law over wild birds
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) may have failed to comply with environmental law, according to a new report. It is in relation to special protection areas for at-risk wild birds, such as puffins, whooper swans and light-bellied Brent geese. An investigation from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) had been previously launched in March 2024, following potential failures to implement recommendations given by a conservation body. Daera said it welcomes the OEP's work and will be "considering the investigation findings", whilst recognising "that there is much more to do to protect our natural environment and the habitats that wild birds and other wildlife need to survive and thrive". The OEP has issued Daera with a notice, which they must respond to within two months. A full response will be delivered by the deadline of 5 August Helen Venn, the OEP chief regulatory officer has said that the government has a legal obligation to maintain populations of wild birds and ensure they have enough suitable habitat. Ms Venn said "our investigation has found what we believe to be possible failures to comply with environmental law by DAERA relating to the protection of wild birds". She noted the decline in wild birds across Northern Ireland, adding that recent studies have placed "a quarter of birds found on the island of Ireland on the Birds of Conservation Concern Red List". The investigation in March 2024 looked into failures to implement recommendations given by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and other conservation public bodies on the classification and adaptation of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) A parallel investigation is looking at the same issues relating to England, and information notices have also been issued to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Secretary of State (SoS) and Natural England. The Office for Environmental Protection, external is a new environmental governance body, which holds the government and other public authorities in England and Northern Ireland to account on their environmental protection and improvement. It also covers reserved UK-wide matters. It advises the government and Northern Ireland Assembly on any changes to environmental law. It has statutory powers to investigate and enforces compliance with environmental law where needed. That enforcement can include legal action if unresolved through compliance with recommendations. Department investigated over bird protection areas Department investigated over ammonia guidance Bird flu causes 'dramatic decline' in NI seabirds
