Some 140 appeals have been lodged with the Department of Agriculture and Food challenging the stocking restrictions for grazing on commonage land, it emerged yesterday.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Walsh, said the Commonage Framework Plans were an integral part of an agreement with the European Commission, secured in 1998. Any failure to implement them would put in question the generous Rural Environment Protection Scheme payments of up to €242 per hectare based on that agreement.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Commonage Framework Plans appeals committee in Castlebar, Co Mayo, yesterday, he said: "Regrettably, the need for the framework plans and for destocking arose out of the fact that a small number of farmers - and it was only a small number - went for short-term gain at the expense of the environment and, indeed, at the expense of other farmers."
Mr Walsh said destocking arrangements were a vital part of measures to protect and rejuvenate commonage areas that may be at risk because of overgrazing. Farmers were notified in late 2002 of their individual stocking levels.
Mr Walsh said he was aware that some farmers were unhappy with the proposed destocking. It was for that reason the appeals procedure had been put in place.
He said that while the production of the framework plans had been a lengthy affair, it was also a hugely important undertaking.
The plans were part of a commitment to the EU in 1998 that would have positive and long-lasting effects in terms of a better environment and more sustainable agricultural practices.
The Commonage Framework Plans were expert assessments of the environmental status of commonages, and were drawn up by an approved team consisting of an agriculturalist and an environmentalist.
Mr Walsh said his Department would shortly publish a list of the commonages where the 140 appeals had been lodged.
"If no objections to the appeals are received on behalf of the majority of the other farmers on those commonages, the next step is for the farmers who have made the appeals to select their planning teams and get the reassessment under way," he said.
While farmers would want to know the outcome as quickly as possible, the Minister said, factors outside the control of his Department - such as the availability of the planning teams, the time taken to carry out reassessment, and the timing and volume of appeals that may be presented - would affect the timeframe.
The Minister said it was never easy to satisfy everyone, but he was hopeful that the outcome of the appeals process would be seen to be fair and reasonable.