The Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) took to the streets last Tuesday (March 4th) strongly opposing the GAEC 2 (Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition) regulation, warning that its rigid enforcement will have severe consequences for over 35,000 farmers along the western seaboard.The GAEC 2 regulation, which focuses on protecting peatlands and wetlands, places disproportionate restrictions on farmers operating in these areas.
The INHFA argues that while environmental protection is essential, the current implementation of GAEC 2 is unworkable, threatens farm viability, and disregards the realities of farming in these regions. In addition to this they have taken issue with the inclusion of 100,000 Ha of mineral soils citing it as totally unjust and unnecessary
Speaking on this INHFA President Vincent Roddy emphasised” the critical threat GAEC 2 poses to the livelihoods of farmers in counties stretching from Donegal to Kerry and into the midlands.”
“This regulation is being imposed without proper consultation and fails to recognize the vital role that farmers have played for generations in maintaining these landscapes. Many of these farms are small, family-run enterprises that cannot survive under these new restrictions.” Roddy stated.
The primary concerns raised by the INHFA include:
- Severe restrictions on land use with farmers prevented from maintaining land as they always have, potentially leading to land abandonment and loss of traditional farming methods. Devaluation of farmland.
- Financial losses through the inability to fully utilise land leading to significant reductions in income, making it impossible for many farmers to sustain their businesses.
- Planning restrictions that will impact on farm infrastructure and could also restrict the building of new houses and possible renovations to existing houses.
Roddy detailed how the INHFA “are demanding urgent engagement with government and EU policymakers to reassess GAEC 2 and introduce flexibility in its application.” It is he continued vital “that farmers must be included in decision-making processes to ensure that environmental policies support, rather than undermine, rural communities and the INHFA have solutions on how to fix it”
“We are calling on Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon and EU officials to immediately review GAEC 2 and introduce common-sense solutions that protect both farmers and the environment.” added Roddy.
In conclusion the INHFA President called on all affected farmers to “join the campaign and make their voices heard as this protest is only the start of a planned campaign.”