REGULATIONS implementing the EU Habitats directive, which allows for the definition and protection of 400 proposed Special Areas of Conservation, have been signed by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins.
These areas occupy more than one million acres or 5 per cent of, the land surface of the country, and will involve making compensation payments of £20 million to 10,000 farmers.
The areas include habitats such as blanket bogs, raised bogs, limestone pavement, turloughs and other wetlands.
Apart from protecting these important habitats, the Minister said, the scheme would put much needed income into the pockets of many smallholders.
He said the new regulations would not interfere with traditional farming in the areas concerned but would prevent damage to areas which were particularly sensitive and at the same time encourage sustainable farming enterprise.
Mr Higgins said that following lengthy negotiations with the farm organisations the scheme would be divided into two parts.
Option One would involve farmers who did not want to join the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Under this option, farmers would be required to farm their SAC land in accordance with an agri environmental plan prepared by his Department in consultation with the Department of Agriculture.
He said the conditions applying to this scheme had already been agreed and farmers would be compensated for all loss of income, including headage or premiums.
In exceptional cases, including hardship, ex gratia payments might be made or outright purchase considered. Where agreement was not reached, independent arbitration would be available.
Option Two would allow farmers with SAC designated lands the option to join the Rural Environment Protection Scheme and this would bring additional payments over the REPS levels of £15 an acre for the first 100 acres, £7.50 an acre for the next 100 acres and £5 an acre for an additional £100 acres.
This scheme, he said, would be administered by the Department of Agriculture, but the additional payments would be channelled through his Department, which would need additional staff to monitor it.
Mr Higgins said that owners of the first batch of 200 sites would be notified within the next few weeks. The stocking and other restrictions required would be set out. Farmers who wished to change their activities could only do so with the agreement of the Department.
The Irish Farmers' Association president, Mr John Donnelly, welcomed the agreement with the Government on the SACs, which includes compensation for designations being placed on land and losses due for devaluation.
However, the president of the rival Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association Mr Frank Allen, said his organisation would be seeking an additional £12 an acre for farmers not in REPS to encourage heritage tourism by allowing people on their lands.
A special freephone number 1800-405-000 has been set up to inform farmers and others about, the scheme and extensive newspaper advertising will take place.