Extension to gorse burning deadline is sought

AN extension to the deadline for the burning of gorse in hill areas from the end of February to the end of March, has been called for this week.

IFA National Hill Farming Chairman Cáillin Conneely has called on Heritage Minister Malcolm Noonan to allow ‘the managed burning’ of gorse in March.

He said that extending the deadline by one month would bring a number of significant benefits in relation to the proper management of hill areas.

These included allowing better vegetative management; helping farmers to keep land eligible for various CAP schemes; and in reducing uncontrolled wildfires.

“We want to maintain farming in these areas, and we fully respect the ecological value of lands with gorse and certain types of grass species.

“Without farming, these areas would go wild and the incidence of wildfires would significantly increase,” said Caillín Conneely.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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