Turf-cutters vow to carry on as bogs hit by conservation order

BOG CONSERVATION measures have come into effect with the banning of turf-cutting in 32 raised bogs, mainly in the midlands region.

Minister for Environment John Gormley yesterday confirmed the ending of a 10-year derogation from an EU ban on non-commercial turf-cutting in these Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

Thirty-two raised bogs – where flora and vegetation continue to grow – are immediately affected with a further 24 next year and 75 heritage areas in 2013.

The Minister said less than 5 per cent of the State’s 1,500 bogs would be affected by the ban and that cutting on blanket bog SACs, mainly in the west, will continue.

An estimated 750 people have cut or “harvested” turf in the 32 raised bogs. The department’s figures indicate that overall some 2,500 people cut turf for domestic use.

Independent Roscommon councillor Luke “Ming” Flanagan, spokesman for the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association claimed however that at least 6,000 people would be affected in the 32 raised bog complexes mainly in Roscommon, east Galway, the Cavan/Meath border, parts of Mayo and Offaly, including Clara bog in Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s constituency.

Although the derogation for the 32 areas officially ended on January 1st, a number of people have continued to cut turf.

Mr Flanagan said he would not cut turf if it damaged the bog and the association has sought to maintain rights handed down through generations.

He said that if the Minister wanted to repair and protect bogs, he should first repair damage done by Bórd na Móna.

The State owns 92 per cent of the 32 affected bog complexes. “It would take us 500 years to exhaust the bogs we have,” said Mr Flanagan.

There are penalties under the Wildlife Act for damage to SACs but a department spokesman said “this is not about taking a hard line and the vast majority of users have not cut any turf this year”.

Mr Flanagan said they would continue to “cut our turf as we have done for hundreds of years”. He urged the department to “bring it on”.

Mr Gormley said “raised bogs have almost vanished” and the sites “are among the best examples of the tiny portion of what is left in Europe.

He added that “the scientific advice to the Government is clear that continued turf extraction and conservation of these sites are incompatible.”

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore reiterated his view that the “EU habitats directive was never intended to prevent small-scale turf-cutting for domestic use”. He said: “Unnecessary hardship is being forced on many of the rural families affected”.

An interim payment has been offered to people who have turf-cutting or turbary rights, to compensate them for the loss of turf this year. An estimated €5.4 million has been paid out this year.

A final compensation package is expected to be concluded next year. Elements under consideration include cash payments, permission to cut turf in other bogland and refitting of houses to allow other fuels to be used.