Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Our hedgerow are a nature resource of immense importance and I want to not only protect but enhance them. They play a crucial role in our biodiversity and sequestration. They also are habitats and homes for many of our great creatures.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) (EIA) Regulations came into effect in September 2011 and were amended in April 2013 and September 2017. Given the passage of time since the Regulations were introduced, it is appropriate to now review these regulations and amend them where necessary.

In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has already committed to undertaking a full review of these Regulations. This review will commence shortly.

Separate to the EIA Regulations, the new CAP Strategic Plan which commenced in January has a significantly stronger focus on the environment, and especially biodiversity, through a combination of new land eligibility rules, enhanced Conditionality requirements, introduction of the Eco-Scheme under Pillar I and an environmentally ambitious Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) under Pillar II.

The new definition of the eligible hectare will avoid the suggested incentive to remove natural features which are beneficial for climate or the environment.

Under Conditionality farmers must devote at least 4% of their land to biodiversity under what is termed "space for nature" .

For the first time, this will place a direct financial value on hedgerows. In addition the Conditionality requirements for the maintenance of land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) will also require farmers to retain landscape features which include hedgerows.

With effect from the start of January this year, in the exceptional circumstances where a hedgerow may be removed, double the length of hedgerow proposed for removal must now be planted in advance of any removal taking place.

There is also the 'space for nature' option in the Eco-Scheme to recognise farmers who commit a higher proportion of their land to biodiversity. Under the Eco-Scheme and ACRES, there are also hedgerow and tree planting options which will further incentivise farmers to plant trees and new hedgerows.

Under voluntary Agri-Environment Schemes, which have been in place since 1994 to incentivise and promote environmentally sustainable management practices and to maintain and enhance farmland habitats, the planting of approximately 11,000km of new hedgerows and the rejuvenation of a further ~6,000 km.

Under the recent scheme, GLAS (the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-environment Scheme), 7,247 participants planted over 1,100km of new hedgerows since the scheme began in 2015. Other actions include traditional maintenance of hedgerows which improve their value as a habitat for biodiversity.