Birdwatch Ireland welcomes a hedge cutting ban despite Mayo calls to an extension

Birdwatch Ireland calls on the public to join the laws protecting wild birds, especially during the breeding period, which has already started. The prohibition on the cut and the combustion of vegetation begins on March 1 each year and ends on August 31, according to article 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as modified.

The declaration of the body comes after the pleas by Mayo advisers to shorten the prohibition period in order to clear the many damaged trees in the storm last month.

In a statement this evening, Birdwatch Ireland said that they received many calls concerned from the public each year for an illegal and inappropriate cut of hedges and a vegetation burn during the moment when birds build nests, seek partners, laying eggs, lifting young people and ending their reproductive cycles. They also declare that it is important to note that the laws concerning the cutting of hedges also apply to urban and rural environments.

The declaration continued: “The hedges on agricultural land are extremely important for a range of fauna, in particular birds and insects, and farmers also know that they offer a significant shelter to cattle. We see the work that farmers do from top to bottom the country to improve hedges for biodiversity, which we warmly welcome.

“However, Birdwatch Ireland is alarmed and disappointed to learn that in 2023, a third of the sanctions issued by the Ministry of Agriculture to farmers inspected for compliance with the conditions of the common agricultural policy, the payment of basic income was for the abolition of the designated landscape characteristics, the host of hosts and / or trees during the bird season and damage to the reproductive season. To receive basic CAP payments, it is required to maintain the characteristics of the landscape, except in exceptional and limited circumstances. Figures for 2024 sanctions are not yet available from the department. »»

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Oonagh Duggan, responsible for politics and advocacy with Birdwatch Ireland, has added: “Many farmers do their best for biodiversity in their farms, but it is really alarming to see that a third of the sanctions of CAP conditionality in 2023 have been issued for the withdrawal of the characteristics of the landscape like Hedgerows. We hope that this represents a minority of farmers who violate the law and the conditions of payment of the ceiling, because only 1% of farmers receiving payments are inspected. It is reassuring to see that the ministry’s inspection system takes these questions and we call Minister Martin Heydon TD to remind farmers their legal obligations and their role in the protection of biodiversity.

“The hedges are extremely important for bird farming in Ireland, as well as for other creatures. Many species actively nest in hedges, while others, such as owls and bats, use these linear characteristics as a corridors to travel and find prey. They are so important in the Irish landscape. »»

Although there are exemptions that exist that allow you to cut hedges during the closed / restricted season, Birdwatch Ireland wishes to emphasize that there remains an entirely separate offense under article 22 of the 1976 fauna law to voluntarily destroy, injure or mutilate the eggs or the nest of young wild birds or to voluntarily disturb a wild or near a wild bird Eggs or non -bulky eggs or wild time.

“The burning of vegetation in our highlands can also lead to very serious impacts, in particular the loss of lives and threats to goods as well as the devastation of highlands and fauna habitats.”