Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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227. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is a matter of concern that hedgerow habitats continue to be removed from farmland; if his Department has considered communicating directly to farmers via letter or text message; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15648/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Hedgerows are a valuable resource on Irish farms, contributing to both our biodiversity and climate ambitions. My Department recognises their value through rewarding farmers and protecting our hedgerows in a number of ways.

Under the Eco-Scheme element of the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan where farmers will be paid in respect of ‘space for nature’ with a significant focus on farm hedgerows. The new CAP also sets out minimum ‘space for nature’ requirements, and increased Conditionality protections for hedgerows, for all farmers in receipt of Direct Payment supports. Under Conditionality, removal of hedgerows is only permitted in certain exceptional circumstances, for example, road safety or to accommodate a building extension and it is now a mandatory requirement that a length equivalent to twice that proposed to be removed is planted in advance of any removal.

In addition, the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations require screening, and if necessary consent, prior to removal of a hedgerow where the length of hedgerow to be removed exceeds 500 metres or where the field size following removal of the hedgerow will be greater than five hectares. If the proposed removal would breach either of these thresholds the farmer is required to submit a screening application to my Department.

My Department has committed to a review of the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations and will commence a consultation on this process with all stakeholders in the near future.

In relation to communication with farmers, there was an online webinar on Conditionality requirements on the 9th of March, and over the next six weeks there are 10 planned in-person information sessions on the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme. These will include Conditionality requirements. In addition, an Explanatory Guide to Conditionality will be published shortly on my Department's website as part of the overall communication plan.