Environment
The controversial GAEC 2 standard for the protection of wetlands and peatlands is now in force, the Department of Agriculture has said.
A senior inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has told farmers that GAEC 2 measures are "mandatory".
Agri Politics
Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said that GAEC 2 will not have negative impacts on farmers.
Minister Martin Heydon has said that he wants to " reassure farmers who work with peat soils" that they "will not be dictated to".
Rural Life
A national meeting on policy threats to farming on peat soils will be held next Thursday by the IFA at 8:00p.m in Athlone
DAFM has said actions to restore or potential rewetting of drained, farmed peatlands will be "entirely voluntary".
The three-year FarmPEAT Project, which is coming to a conclusion in December, is taking stock of the progress it has made in that time.
The FarmPEAT project will host its end-of-project conference and field trip next week, visiting two project farms in Clara, Co. Offaly
New research has suggested that peat soils cover 13% more area in Ireland when compared to previously available maps.
Agri-Business
Engagement with the European Commission and stakeholders on GAEC 2 is ongoing, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has said.
The INHFA has claimed that suggestions that the proposed Nature Restoration Law will provide voluntary measures for farmers are "propaganda".
