Farmers invited to meeting on hen harrier spas

Local farmers and landowners are being invited to a meeting on the controversial creation of protected areas for the Hen Harrier.

The newly formed Irish Farmers with Designated Land (IFDL) has called the meeting at the Freigh Inn (O'Sullivan's) in Newport on Tuesday next, November 18th, at 8.30pm.

The Newport area in general has been affected by restrictions on farming following the inclusion of local land in a designated Special Protection Area (SPA) for the protection of the Hen Harrier, an endangered wild bird.

The designation has been made by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) under EU Birds Directive. It means that restrictions are now in place over plantation and use of fertiliser on these lands, which have seen their value plummet.

 

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