Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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589. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what engagement he has had with the farming sector on the re-wetting of lands under the nature restoration Bill; the clarification he has given to the farming sector that any re-wetting of lands will be on a voluntary basis for farmers, and not compulsory at any stage in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29752/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Nature Restoration Law was adopted on 17 June 2024. I have made it clear to farming bodies that re-wetting under the Nature Restoration Law will be voluntary. Indeed, the Regulation explicitly provides that it does not imply an obligation for farmers and private landowners to rewet their lands and that rewetting remains voluntary on agricultural lands.

This is in line with my previous public press statement which can be found at this link:

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Stakeholder engagement in relation to the Nature Restoration Law is led by National Parks and Wildlife Service.