Farmers face hell if drained farmland is rewetted
A RURAL rebellion could be on the cards if proposed EU legislation on the ‘rewetting’ of peatlands comes into force in Ireland, a West of Ireland TD has warned this week.
According to Independent Roscommon-Galway TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, there were now concerns that drained peatland – which is now being farmed – would be subject to ‘restoration’ measures in the proposed legislation.
“If this kind of EU legislation is force through it will incite rural people across Ireland – and especially the West of Ireland – to protest and fight against this agenda,” said Deputy Fitzmaurice.
What was being reported, he added, was that 30% of this land now being used for agricultural purposes, would be affected in this new legislation by 2030.
He said that the proposed measures would have stark consequences for land use in the West of Ireland over the next three decades with over 100,000 hectares (nearly 250,000 acres) being rewetted by 2050.
“Cromwell once said to hell or to Connacht, but now it appears as if Europe is just sending those of us who live in the West of Ireland to Hell.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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