Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when she will implement the European Court of Justice decision which impacts on stocking rates on commonages in County Galway; the level of destocking required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34448/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The European Court decision referred to relates to the Wild Birds Directive. The implementation of this Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am aware that the European Commission services are concerned about the condition of the vegetation on some commonages in Galway which had been damaged by overgrazing. The implementation of the relevant commonage framework plans on those commonages does not have appeared to deliver the required result in terms of regeneration.

I understand that officials of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, accompanied by officials of my own Department, will meet local farmers and their representatives shortly to discuss measures that will ensure that environmentally sustainable farming practices are followed on the commonages.