Talks aimed at solving problems created by the ban on turf-cutting on most of the raised bogs in the midlands and west begin today in Dublin. From this year farmers and others will no longer be allowed cut turf commercially on 31 raised bogs which have been designated Special Areas of Conservation by the EU. More than 3,000 people are involved, and they operate mainly in Offaly, Kildare, Tipperary, Roscommon and Galway.
The operators, mostly farmers and townspeople who supply turf to others, will no longer be allowed cut turf using machinery. Today, Mr Michael Canny, director of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, will meet their representatives to establish a mechanism for compensating turf-cutters for their losses.
Mr Gerry Gunning of the Irish Farmers' Association said the new regulations will create difficulties for many farmers. "We accept the need to conserve these areas but farmers will need to be compensated for the losses they will undoubtedly suffer when they cannot cut turf in traditional areas this year," he said.
"It may not be as simple as providing other turf-cutting banks where they can operate or providing them with turf. The issue is a very serious one for many of those involved, especially in the Midlands," he said.
He added that the issue of farming land in proximity to the raised bogs is also creating difficulties, especially for those farmers not in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Mr Canny, who confirmed he will be meeting representatives of farming and turf-cutting interests, said he accepted there were difficulties for those involved.
"Our main task [today] is to find a flexible solution to those problems and a system of compensation for those who can no longer use the bogs," he said.
"There used to be 300,000 hectares of raised bog but now we have estimated there is only 8,000 hectares, which we are committed to protecting," he said.
The OPW, he said, has offered to purchase bog in protected areas from farmers and others or offer them alternative cutting sites on bogs which are not designated. "We are even offering to buy turf from them if they so wish," he said.
Mr Canny said he hoped common sense would prevail and a system of compensation could be organised. He added that traditional methods of cutting turf with the slean would be allowed continue on all bogs.