West Limerick farmers claim they will be "forced into extinction" because of a plan to protect a rare bird species - the hen harrier - in their area.
Local farmers are campaigning to stop an estimated 5,000 acres of Co Limerick land being designated a special protection area by Dúchas, the Heritage Service, which is trying to protect the small bird of prey.
The Dúchas plan, which has yet to be finalised, is causing great concern among a majority of farmers, who are struggling themselves to survive, according to the Irish Farmers' Association. They claim it will rule out diversification options, including forestry and wind farming.
Farmers have made their views clear to Dúchas representatives at meetings in west Limerick and, according to IFA regional development officer, Mr William Dolan, "talks are currently at a deadlock and, until a deal is done, signs up and down the country will continue to read, 'Dúchas Out'".
The IFA claims negotiations must take place before Dúchas causes disruption to hundreds of farmlands. Limerick man and IFA president Mr John Dillon has backed the farmers. "Dúchas must produce scientific evidence as to why these areas in west Limerick have been designated lands of reservation," he said.
He said every farmer affected "should be visited and compensated individually".
Dúchas director, Mr Alan Craig, said the proposal was the result of a European directive on bird conservancy. The area concerned was not very large, and it would be a couple of months before Dúchas was in a position to publish the plan and notify landowners. After that they would have three months to appeal, he said. "At the moment we are refining the scientific aspects of the proposal."
But the IFA's national rural development chairman, Mr Gerry Gunning, said he believed that up to 5,000 acres would be affected.
"Wind farming and forestry will certainly be restricted, but any farmer who wants to reclaim his land could find himself unable to do so."
Mr Dolan said: "It looks like if Dúchas get their way, the farmer will be the 'bird of extinction' and not the hen harrier," he said.