Commission urges Ireland to act swiftly to improve protection of peat bogs

Scofflaw

We're apparently still not doing much about bog cutting on protected sites:

The Commission is asking Ireland to take urgent action to improve the implementation of legislation that protects peat bog habitats. The Commission is concerned that peat extraction is ongoing in numerous protected Natura 2000 sites, despite letters sent out by the Irish authorities.

Scientists have warned that up to 35% of certain priority habitats have been destroyed since the legislation was adopted, and that the annual rate of loss is between 1-4%. In addition, the Commission also has concerns over some 170 other protected bogs.

Ireland was sent a letter of formal notice about this matter in January 2011. Although recent progress appears to have been made in relation to 32 sites, this needs to be reflected by changes on the ground.

On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion. The Commission's assessment of the progress on the ground will be crucial in determining the next steps in this procedure.

The case concerns systemic breaches of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) and the EIA Directive (85/337/EEC) related to peat extraction on protected bogs. While Ireland is clearly acting on the problem - the Minister for the Environment announced an immediate ban on turf cutting in 32 active raised bogs in 2010, and an end to turf cutting in 24 additional active raised bogs by the end of 2011 - the Commission has serious concerns about the effectiveness of the response.

Looks like the next step in the Irish "dead letter law" routine - first we adopted legislation in principle to stop cutting, now we've adopted legislation in particular for protected sites, and maybe, one day, God willing, we might actually enforce the legislation. But not until we're forced to by threat of fines - and even then, we'll probably let it lapse again, resulting in a new round of cutting, until eventually some kind of inquiry will determine that there's so little remaining scientific value to the "protected" areas that we might as well abandon them to their fate.

annoyed,
Scofflaw

Oldtree

It was interesting to note that behind the news reporter reporting on this last night on RTE was a picture of a man hand cutting turf, I guess that they were trying to play the cap in hand olde worldy card propaganda trying to elicit sympathy for a world long gone, justifying current methods. I havn't seen anyone hand cutting turf for years. mainly diggers and other machinery.

Scofflaw

Oldtree wrote: »

It was interesting to note that behind the news reporter reporting on this last night on RTE was a picture of a man hand cutting turf, I guess that they were trying to play the cap in hand olde worldy card propaganda trying to elicit sympathy for a world long gone, justifying current methods. I havn't seen anyone hand cutting turf for years. mainly diggers and other machinery.

I'm told by a family member down in the West that a large part of the opposition to protection comes from those who rent out the services of turf-cutting machines, which seems reasonable.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Macha

Of course little has changed on the ground. A few people I know went to some of the sites a few weeks ago and found machines still working on the peat.

Ireland is barely capable of paying lip service to EU environmental legislation but when it comes to implementation, we're just woeful. Water Framework Directive would be another example - RBMPs have been drafted but little to no implementation.

I wonder does the EEA carry out any inspections in general or do they rely on NGOs or others to file complaints?

dev100

What about a semi state body in the bogs milling peat not just the ordinary Joe soap? Should we not ban everyone from destroying the bogs ?

Scofflaw

dev100 wrote: »

What about a semi state body in the bogs milling peat not just the ordinary Joe soap? Should we not ban everyone from destroying the bogs ?

The semi-states gave up cutting on protected sites several years ago - and it is only protected sites where cutting is supposed to be banned.

cordially,
Scofflaw

dev100

Scofflaw wrote: »

The semi-states gave up cutting on protected sites several years ago - and it is only protected sites where cutting is supposed to be banned.

cordially,
Scofflaw

A bog is a bog to me whether it's protected or not. Or can I ask whats the difference between the two ?

Scofflaw

dev100 wrote: »

A bog is a bog to me whether it's protected or not. Or can I ask whats the difference between the two ?

There are bogs of scientific interest, and there are what you might call bog-standard bogs of no particular interest. Protection is granted to the former - in theory - because they're of scientific value. If someone cuts them for turf they're then of no scientific value.

The amount of bog of scientific value is pretty small - maybe a percent or so of all bogland.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Oldtree

It appears that the bog cutters have no interest in the common good (only when paid for it)! :mad:

Mr. Boo

It is really disappointing, but not surprising, to see individuals prioritizing their own interests over the health of the environment. There are world class examples of raised bog habitat in Ireland, a country that contains something like half of the raised bog remaining in the EU. It would be foolish to destroy this for the sake of fuel. There are plenty of alternatives; and plenty of blanket bog.

We have an appalling record when it comes to environmental stewardship, and it would be nice to see a change.

Uriel.

Scofflaw wrote: »

There are bogs of scientific interest, and there are what you might call bog-standard bogs of no particular interest. Protection is granted to the former - in theory - because they're of scientific value. If someone cuts them for turf they're then of no scientific value.

The amount of bog of scientific value is pretty small - maybe a percent or so of all bogland.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Yep, the Regulations in this instance are not in place to protect peatlands in general terms, but specific peatland habitats - in this case - active raised bogs - which is raised bog that is still forming - the Regs also require the protection of degraded raised bog that has the potential regeneration. Ireland has over 60% of Europe's remaining active raised bog habitat.

People and turf cutters in particular purposely confuse specific habitat protection with "birds and plants" protection.

Not only have Bord na Mona long since ceased operating on protected sites, but they have given some of their protected holding to the State, they have numerous restoration projects in place and are assisting the Government with the compensation schemes.

Macha

A new proposal has emerged to resolve this issue:

A scheme has been proposed for turf-cutters that combines compensation due to them with SEAI’s Home Energy Scheme.

The proposal, which was presented to the Peatlands Council at their last meeting in July, proposes capitalising the €1,000 a year for 15 years currently on offer at €11,600 and combining this with SEAI grants for a total package of €16,000.

http://ien.ie/2011/home-energy-scheme-proposed-for-turf-cutters/

It's definitely a good idea to improve the energy performance of the revelant houses as this is often used as an excuse to keep cutting. I'm not entirely sure which scheme they're talking about as the SEAI grants have been reformed into one scheme called Better Energy that includes energy savings and renewables grants.

joela

With the regard to the difference between the protected and unprotected bogs, the protected bogs under the European legislation are selected as the best examples of the habitat remaining and also as a previous poster said degraded bogs capable of regeneration are also included in the designations. Some of the other remaining bogs also have the potential to be designated under EU legislation but are already protected under national legislation (Wildlife Act, County Development Plans). There may also be some bogs remaining undesignated that are of a high enough quality or in good enough condition to be designated in the future.

http://www.npws.ie/media/npws/publications/designations/media,6318,en.pdf

Unfortunately some bogs are no longer capable of regeneration due to turf cutting and changes in hydrology. These bogs would be the ones that Bord na Mona still remove turf from and of course some of these would also belong to domestic cutters. Bord na Mona employ several ecologists to work on restoration of the spent bogs and some of these areas can be excellent wildlife reserves although obviously not of the same value ecologically as the raised bog.