Dr. Florence Renou-Wilson:

We should remind ourselves why this situation occurred because it is important to consider. We started with a review of the raised bog natural heritage areas, NHAs, network because we realised that the very ecosystems that were supposed to be protected by the Wildlife Act had not been protected. It was reviewed and it was found that the network was decimated. We need to focus on that. The Wildlife Act was supposed to protect those habitats but did not. They are now dried up and will continue to emit six tonnes of CO2 per ha each year because those habitats will be dry. The Government decided to continue on the same trajectory and let those habitats go because it was too expensive to restore them all.

The problem with blanket bogs is far greater because there are more areas involved and far less knowledge available. We do not know how much land is concerned, active, cut or uncut. We do not know how large an area is still there. We discussed raised bog NHAs within the Peatlands Council and that was agreed but the decision about blanket bogs was pushing it. It was shooting ourselves in the feet because we do not know what is going to happen. That is my understanding.