Ó An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitúil agus Oidhreachta
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The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, has welcomed a number of recent fines and convictions for destruction of hedgerows and woodland during bird nesting season.
“I welcome these convictions, and the strong messages they send on the consequences of wildlife crime – in these cases, significant fines and a 20% penalty on farm payments. I also welcome the Judges’ comments in highlighting the importance of Section 40, the need to protect our wildlife and habitats, and the responsibility landowners have in ensuring their actions comply with that objective.”
Minister Noonan was speaking after two cases were heard recently in the District Courts. At a sitting of Ballina District Court, a Mayo farmer was fined €4,000 and received a 20% penalty to his farm payments for the destruction of vegetation over an area of approximately 1.9 acres during bird nesting season. At Nenagh District Court, a Galway farmer was convicted and fined €3,000 for destroying 755 meters of hedgerows and 0.7acres of scrub woodland at a farm in County Tipperary.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have noted an increase in the number of reports of the complete removal of hedgerows and vegetation on lands not cultivated during the statutory bird nesting season. These are predominantly done for agricultural improvement reasons.
NPWS are committed to investigating fully where this is happening due to the implications for such actions for nesting birds and biodiversity. There are a number of Section 40 cases before the courts nationally and the NPWS would appeal to landowners to be fully aware of their legal responsibilities in terms of Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts and also any requirements under EU Basic Payment Scheme Rules and Cross Compliance where this applies.
Please see cases below
NPWS Case report: Ballina District Court
NPWS Case report: Ballina District Court
NPWS Case report: Nenagh District Court
Case report: Nenagh District Court