National bodies should consult with farmers around the rules they must abide by when farming in Special Areas of Conservation in Kerry.
That’s according to Fine Gael councillor Teddy O’Sullivan-Casey.
He tabled a motion at the recent Kenmare Municipal District meeting.
Cllr O’Sullivan-Casey called for the council to write to The Department of Agriculture and National Parks and Wildlife Service, asking them to consult and engage with farm organisations and farmers who are farming in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC).
He says the current rules farmers must work with are extremely harsh and in some cases are having a negative effect on the intended outcome they are designed for.
Cllr Teddy O’Sullivan-Casey says he recently visited a farm in a SAC and says they were told farmers can't cut a tree or take silt out of blocked drains without permission.
He also says hundreds of sheep are being lost each year due to flooding.
Cllr O’Sullivan-Casey says he feels the rules that are being made up aren’t working and says farmers just want engagement and consultation when national bodies are making these rules.
Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarty seconded the motion and said these bodies have recently acknowledged that the work of farmers is in line with the vision of the Department of Agriculture and the NPWS.
She said farmers are the most important custodians of the land and they have a vast amount of local knowledge.
Cllr Moriarty called for rangers to be enabled to work with farmers.
