The Green Party has criticised the cutting back of hedgebrows by landowners and county councils, especially as it is happening during the nesting season, resulting in heavy losses of eggs and of the young of many bird species.
Hedgerows are important habitats, the party says, and the Government should regulate the cutting of hedgerows through legislation. It hoped the position would be rectified in amendments to the Wildlife Act, which is being drawn up by the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
