04/07/2013

EC Issue Warning On Continued Breaching Of Turf Cutting Ban

Serious concerns have been raised over illegal turf cutting on raised bogs around the country, a statement from the European Commission (EC) has said.

The statement goes on to say that some 38% of raised bog habitats have been destroyed in the last 20 years and that if breaches of the ban continue the EC would be left with no option but to take the government to court.

Under the terms of a European Habitats Directive, a ban on turf cutting applies to 35,000 hectares, or around 4% of the total bogland in Ireland.

The Green Party has also called for decisive action to stop bog owners from ignoring the ban, saying it is unacceptable that gardai are just "standing by while cutting on raised bogs takes place".

(MH/JP)

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