(Ireland’s)” Minister for Heritage has announced that she will not proceed with regulations that would have allowed for roadside hedge cutting this August on a trial basis.
“Josepha Madigan said that she made the decision in recognition of the need to protect Irish nature and biodiversity. Hedge cutting for road safety purposes will still be allowed year-round.
“The Minister was given discretionary powers under the controversial Heritage Act brought in last year to allow for the cutting of roadside hedges during August on a trial basis in 2019 and 2020.
“The Wildlife Acts currently restrict the cutting, burning or destruction of vegetation on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife from 1 March to 31 August.
“Conservation groups strongly disagreed with the proposal, calling on the Minister to forego her new powers that they said would have a negative impact on birds, pollinators and other species that rely on hedgerows for food, shelter, as corridors of movement, and for nesting and hibernation.
“Ms Madigan said today that it’s clear from both recent international and national studies that “we need to provide greater protection” for biodiversity. “It would be wrong and would send out all the wrong signals to extend hedge cutting further into August this year.”
Full report here from Niall Sargent at Green News.ie:
https://greennews.ie/minister-will-not-allow-roadside-hedg…/
Bernard Moffatt
Celtic League
