HEDGEROWS IRELAND
We are asking you to support us and come to LEINSTER HOUSE in DUBLIN on WEDNESDAY 15th FEBRUARY at 12 pm midday. We will together deliver a letter to the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue demanding action to save and enhance our hedgerows.
We are asking you to support us and come to
LEINSTER HOUSE in DUBLIN on WEDNESDAY 15th FEBRUARY 12 pm midday.
We will together deliver a letter to the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue demanding action to save and enhance our hedgerows.
The letter is signed by leading environmental experts and representatives from a powerful alliance of countryside organisations. These include beekeepers, nature lovers, hunters, farmers, and fishermen.
We are all united by frustration that our countryside is being irreparably damaged due to failed government policy which is completely out of touch with all current knowledge about climate and biodiversity breakdown.
The Department of Agriculture currently allows a landowner to destroy up to half a kilometer of hedgerow without any environmental assessment or permission. This rule, along with very poor systems of oversight is responsible for an estimated loss of up to 3000km of hedgerow annually in Ireland. Many of these hedges are centuries old and are part of our rich heritage. Our local authorities are also responsible for very poor practices around hedgerow destruction and poor treatment.
Charlie McConalogue has the power to REDUCE the 500m REMOVAL LIMIT with IMMEDIATE EFFECT. Powerful vested interests don’t want him to do this, and he won’t-unless People Power forces his hand.
We are also demanding PROPER PAYMENTS for the PRESERVATION and improvement of EXISTING HEDGEROWS. The new CAP farm payments which have just been agreed upon, have missed a massive opportunity to pay farmers for quality hedgerows. This is crazy given the role that bigger, taller healthier hedges play in storing carbon and protecting our threatened wildlife.
So please come along and show your support. Bring a placard if you like. Some ideas for captions might include:
- ‘Actions not words Minister McConalogue’
- ‘Change the CRAZY rules NOW’
- ‘Hedgerows do EVERYTHING!’
- ‘Hedgerows are our rainforests, Minister’
- ‘Pay farmers for good hedgerows-new CAP payments are CRAP!’
- ‘Stop the destruction– 3000 km gone every year- It’s madness!’
We have been guaranteed top media coverage for the event.
Together we can do this!
