Offaly TD says EU rewetting plans smack of cultural imperialism

FIANNA Fail TD Barry Cowen has said the Dail and Seanad should debate and reflect to the European Commission how bog rewetting and land reclamation should be decided at regional levels.

A one-size fits all plan currently being proposed by the European Parliament smacks of cultural imperialism, Deputy Cowen said.

“The Proposal for a Regulation on Nature Restoration(2022/0195) dictates measures and the proposed new law has become mired, if not bogged down, at Commission and European Parliament level with politics,” said the Laois-Offaly TD.

“For Ireland, the proposals do not reflect the circumstances of Irish land usage, especially now in cities and towns where land is required for housing. The proposals reflect a Europe where neither economies nor populations are growing, unlike Ireland where we remain a driver of development and population in the EU.

“The proposals as they stand are European imperialism and do not take account of differing cultural phenomena in member countries, differing land use circumstances, differing population patterns, differing growth trajectories, differing housing needs.

“It has been remiss that there has not been a Dail and Seanad debate on the proposed new law. The law as proposed needs to reflect regional needs, one size will not fit all of Europe. I am proposing that the Dail and Seanad pass resolutions on the matter. It should remain a regional power to decide on the extent of rewetting of all lands, including reclaimed lands.

“Following Dail and Seanad resolutions, the Government should engage anew with the Commission on the Nature Restoration Law. Any funds established to compensate in case of harm done to holdings by re-wetting will not recognise the different efforts made by some farmers to have viable holdings.

“Again a one-size fund will not work. Instead a special damages panel should be established to assess the damage and negligence and compensate farmers accordingly as a legal action might, taking each individual circumstance into account.

“Regional power needs to be retained to assess housing lands in towns and cities. Our local authorities have just drawn up new development plans for the next periods of time. These were done to meet housing needs and should not be significantly interfered with now by EU planting or Commission green space proposals. Ireland needs that flexibility on housing to remain an engine for the EU on growth and population.”

Recently the Independent TD for Laois-Offaly Carol Nolan welcomed what she said was “constructive and wide cross-party support” she received after an Oireachtas briefing she facilitated on behalf of The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA).

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan TD attended the briefing and Deputy Nolan said its purpose was to highlight the ongoing concerns of farmers about rewetting.

The Offaly TD called on agencies to “make good and repair any damage to neighbouring farms and communities” caused by the rewetting of about 80,000 acres of land throughout the region.

“The entire objective of the ICMSA is to place special emphasis on preserving the family farm structure and defending the rights and incomes of farm families. That aligns exactly with my own priorities regarding the issues and the challenges around rewetting in Offaly and beyond,” said Deputy Nolan.

“I am not interested in sowing division on this matter, but I am very interested in highlighting the massive potential that rewetting of land has to severely undermine farm incomes and the capacity of the land to produce food for future generations, or even being available for future generations.”

The proposals were also attacked at an information meeting hosted by the IFA in Tullamore.

IFA President Tim Cullinan called on Minister Noonan to push back on the current proposals and said any future proposals must clearly ensure farmers and future generations can actively farm their land, while safeguarding the future of rural Ireland.

“The proposals will clearly have a negative effect on the rural economy and the future of Irish farming, and these proposals are being driven from the EU without any clear data or impact assessment,” Mr Cullinan said.

“We must ensure that any Nature Restoration laws put forward do not have an impact on the future of Irish farming and farmers’ ability to work their land and produce food, these proposals on serve to reduce production and increase our risk to food security.”

There has been significant opposition to the proposals in Europe and on Tuesday the agriculture committee of the European Parliament voted against part of a draft law on nature restoration.

It was the first of a series of votes which are scheduled to take place in the parliament.