A blueprint for sustaining the Burren region into the future was launched yesterday by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dick Roche.
Describing the launch as a historic day for the Burren, Mr Roche said: "The project offers a real opportunity to investigate the development of sustainable farming practices for the Burren, practices that will contribute to maintaining the rich diversity of species and habitats and that will ensure the livelihoods of the people of the Burren."
Speaking in the small village of Carran in the north Burren, Mr Roche added: "This project is not just of regional importance, but of considerable national and international significance ... It will contribute to shaping future agri-environmental policies within the EU."
The five-year EU Burren Life project is seeking to put in place an integrated system for the Burren's agricultural management.
Almost €2 million of the overall €2.3 million funding for the programme is from the EU, with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Teagasc and the Burren IFA making up the remainder.
"The aim of the project is to develop a new model for sustainable agriculture in the Burren in order to conserve the habitats designated under the EU Habitats Directive, including priority habitats such as limestone pavements, orchid-rich grasslands and turloughs for which the Burren is internationally renowned," said project manager Dr Brendan Dunford:
The programme comes against the background of a steady decline in Burren farmers - down from 562 in 1980 to 318 now.
