Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The designation of special protection areas, SPAs, is a legal obligation placed on all member states in the EU. In 2007, Ireland was found by the European Court of Justice to have failed to designate a sufficient number of SPAs. It is essential that, wherever possible, use is made of opportunities for co-funding from the EU in providing payments to farmers who own lands subject to such designations. Therefore, while my Department has the lead role in regard to the implementation of the EU habitats and birds directives, significant funding is provided through the rural development programme operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to assist farmers in meeting the requirements of the birds and habitats directives.

Participation in the basic payment scheme requires farmers to abide by the statutory requirements relating to special protection areas and special areas of conservation, collectively known as Natura 2000 sites. Additional funding is provided through the rural development programme. Agri-environment schemes, such as the new GLAS scheme, have provided, and will provide, a range of supports, including payments, in respect of Natura 2000 sites, to tens of thousands of farmers.

I understand that there is to be a dedicated measure in GLAS for farmers in targeted areas who abide by a specific measure for the hen harrier.

A habitat enhancement scheme, known as the National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme, was available to farmers in hen harrier SPAs to undertake proactive measures for the species. These measures were not a condition of the designation, nor were they mandatory. For that reason, they are not considered to be compensation for the prevention of an activity or a development on the lands in question. Voluntary commitments were entered into by 377 landowners under the farm plan scheme, covering over 9,000 ha. I am advised that 42 farm plans are still active.

The designation of lands does not mean that the lands are subject to blanket restrictions, although they must be managed appropriately. This requirement means that certain State-funded grant schemes must be operated with due care where they may affect such lands and they cannot be considered an automatic entitlement of the landowner.

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