DAFM urged to give farmers and landowners 'exemption' to cut trees and hedges
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has been urged to grant an "exemption" to farmers and landowners to cut trees and hedges where they pose a threat to safety.
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Agriculture and Food, Martin Kenny, made the call today (Tuesday, February 25) as he said farmers and landowners should also have an exemption to cut trees and hedges that could impact on either the ESB network or communications network.
The Sligo-Leitrim TD said: “We all saw the devastation caused by Storm Éowyn and the thousands of families that were left without electricity, water, and phone service for weeks.
"One of the main factors for these outages was trees falling on power lines and blocking access to power lines.
“Electricity, water, and phone networks are critical infrastructure and, as such, need to be protected."
Deputy Kenny has DAFM called on the government to urgently consider his suggestion because the deadline for hedge cutting comes into effect on March 1.
Under the Wildlife Act 1976, the “cutting, grubbing, burning or other destruction of vegetation” growing in any hedge or ditch between March 1 and August 31 is not allowed.
But Deputy Kenny said: “I understand that it is important to protect birds and wildlife during the nesting season from March 1 to September 1, however, I believe it is just as important to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone and ensure that they have access to light, heat, and water".
He is one of a number of TDs who have called on the government to re-consider the deadline for hedge cutting in light of the impact of recent storms.
The Independent Ireland TD, Michael Fitzmaurice, highlighted that contractors who had provided assistance during Storm Éowyn now had "work for farmers and the hedge cutting season is closing at the end of this month".
Fine Gael’s Paula Butterly has also appealed for a derogation on tree felling and hedge cutting for certain areas.
Meanwhile the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors in Ireland (FCI) is also seeking an extension to the hedge cutting deadline due to the impact of Storm Éowyn.
The group has written to relevant government ministers and TDs seeking support to move the deadline back to March 17, 2025.
