Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

63. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the areas of Natura 2000 lands claimed in each county in 2019 and 2020, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51678/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Natura is made up of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), established under the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), established under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).  Responsibility for Natura lies with the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) in Ireland.

Natura agricultural lands form a significant part of the overall eligible agricultural area within Ireland's Land Parcel Identification System and are an important resource, not only in terms of agricultural production but also in terms of biodiversity.

While much of the Natura area is agricultural lands, a significant proportion is made up of non-agricultural areas such as marine habitats, foreshore etc.

Each year, My Department,  accepts online applications from farmers for payments under a wide range of area-based schemes, for example Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Greening, Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) etc.  These claims are recorded within the Land Parcel Identification System.  It is from these  agricultural areas declared by farmers that the Department  has drawn the information with regard to Natura status. 

The table provided gives a county level breakdown of the Natura 2000 lands that were claimed for payment in 2019 and 2020.

The figures clearly show that most of the Natura areas exist within western counties but that all parts of the country have these important agricultural habitats.  Kerry, Mayo, Galway and Donegal each have in excess of 50,000 hectares. Counties Kildare, Monaghan, Longford and Meath have smaller areas, with less than 1,500 hectares for each county declared in 2019 and 2020.