‘Bigger package' needed for landowners to conserve nature
Agri-environmental schemes should be expanded to provide a 'bigger package' to landowners to prioritise conserving nature, according to Dr. Rebecca Jeffrey of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Dr. Jeffrey spoke at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Conference in Co. Galway today (Wednesday, June 11) about the ongoing process to develop a Nature Restoration Plan for Ireland.
Addressing a concern raised at the event that land has been devalued in areas as a result of designations for protecting habitats – hen harriers for example – Dr. Jeffrey said that there will be 'socioeconomic value analysis done when we're setting targets' as part of the plan.
'But, I would like to think we are working to change the value of the natural capital.
'We're increasing the value of natural heritage so that you will have a value from the natural capital of land. Farmers will be paid for the natural capital that they are holding on their land, Dr. Jeffrey said.'
She told the event that Ireland has been to the 'forefront' in Europe in developing results-based schemes, whereby farmers are 'paid for the ecological and natural heritage of their land'.
'It's turning that value from the traditional livestock values to natural capital values so that you can be paid for delivering carbon, delivering hen harrier habitats, delivering a clean river. That should be recognised, that's really key,' she added.
There are still 'issues and blockages' to work through in relation to agri-environmental schemes, and Dr. Jeffrey said that these schemes need to be lengthened, and merged with woodland schemes.
'There has to be a bigger package for landowners, to make it worth their while to conserve nature rather than anything else,' she added.
Nature Restoration Regulation
The Nature Restoration Regulation came into force in August 2024. This regulation is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind, and sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been appointed by the government to coordinate the development of a national Nature Restoration Plan arising from the regulation, to be submitted to the EU Commission by September 1, 2026.
Dr. Jeffrey said that this plan will set out restoration targets up to 2030 and measures required to achieve them; mapping indicating areas where measures will be established; and monitoirng regimes required to determine the effectiveness of the restoration measures.
Significant pressures
The two-day EPA event is host to a range of speakers sharing knowledge on protecting and improving water quality in Ireland.
Addressing the event, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O'Sullivan, said that agriculture has been identified as one of the most significant pressures affecting water quality.
Addressing this will 'bring benefits to the quality of our waters, biodiversity and to climate change adaptation', Minister O'Sullivan said.
'The agricultural sector will also benefit by becoming more resilient.
'The approach to addressing agricultural pressures is to balance enhanced inspection and enforcement alongside the implementation of additional targeted support measures, education and knowledge,' the minister said.
The 'cornerstone measure' for addressing the pressure on water quality for agriculture remains the Nitrates Action Programme.
Additional measures as part of the interim review of the fifth Nitrates Action Plan were introduced in February.
Officials from Minister O'Sullivan's department are currently preparing the sixth nitrates programme, which will need to be in place from January 2026.
The minister said: 'There is a lot of focus on the retention of Ireland's nitrates derogation and the newly-formed Cabinet Committee on Water Quality is specifically focused on this,
'This is underpinned by an unprecedented level of cooperation across government, state agencies and the agricultural sector in general.
'It is government policy to make an application to retain the derogation, and I know that doesn't get widespread support. But if we're to make it work, cooperation is key.'
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