Agri-Business
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has called for an extension to the controlled burning period of gorse to include the month of March
Environment
The IFA has criticised the decision by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht not to extend the open period for gorse burning.
The closed period for both hedge-cutting and gorse burning comes to an end in the coming days for a period of six months.
The fact that the Heritage Bill has progressed onto the next stage in the legislative process has been welcomed as "major progress".
There are just a number of days left before the closed period for hedge-cutting and gorse burning begins on March 1.
A ban on hedgecutting is set to come into effect at the start of next month, as has been the case in recent years.
No right-minded farmer would light an illegal gorse fire and walk away, Teddy Creedon, who is an IFA Hill Representative, said.
The hedgecutting and gorse burning ban will come into effect this week. As of March 1 hedgecutting and gorse burning are prohibited.
No change will be made to the legislation to allow for hedgecutting in August on a pilot-basis before the hedgecutting season ends on March 1.
Rural Life
The proposed changes to the Heritage Bill, to allow hedgecutting in August on a pilot basis, would only allow the "trimming of one season's growth".
The hedgecutting argument is skewed in favour of a small minority of farmers, according to Green Party Senator Grace O'Sullivan.
Changes to the current legislation around hedgecutting and gorse burning might not happen until after Christmas.
The proposed changes to the Heritage Bill of a one-month extension for hedgecutting and burning of gorse on a pilot basis will be a major help to farmers, according to the IFA.
A petition has been launched against the proposal to change the Wildlife Act to allow hedgecutting in August and for the burning of vegetation in March.
New legislation to allow hedgecutting and burning at certain times within the existing closed period on a pilot basis is to be introduced.
