An Taisce welcomes the statement today on behalf of Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD, that hedge cutting will not be permitted to proceed in August 2019. It is further welcomed that this decision is based on recognition, as stated by the Minister, of “the increasing threats to biodiversity nationally and globally.”
The Heritage Act 2018 had allowed the Minister the discretion of permitting hedge cutting on a trial basis in 2019 and 2020 . The passing of this Act in 2018 through the Oireachtas was the source of widespread criticism from environmental organisations in Ireland along with those concerned with nature protection generally, over the previous two years. Apart from providing critically important habitats for birds and other species, hedgerows are also important in maintaining pollination for the wild bee population.
At a time when the impact of rising global biodiversity loss is also evident in Ireland, the provisions of the Heritage Act 2018 to allow hedge cutting into August were a negative action, a step in quite the wrong direction. An Taisce hopes that this decision not to facilitate hedge cutting this August will also be renewed in 2020.
With the recognition that we face a planetary biodiversity emergency, the time has come for a turning point in the protection of nature in Ireland, and the integration of biodiversity protection in our trade relationships with other countries.
Contact:
Ian Lumley, An Taisce Advocacy Officer
Mobile: 083 153 2384
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