Sir, - We would like to respond to the statement by The Irish Peatland Conservation Council in your paper on December 28th. While I would agree very strongly with the general thrust of their arguments, we are surprised that they maintain that commonages exacerbate the problem of overgrazing.
Our studies have shown that division and fencing of common ages, in fact, makes matters worse. The simple fact is that the number of sheep on many of our western hills greatly exceeds the carrying capacity of the land.
It is interesting to note that your Agricultural Correspondent, in an adjoining article, quotes Teagasc figures which indicate that 92 per cent of sheep farmers income come from subsidies. Surely it is not beyond the wit of Teagasc and the EU to devise a scheme to eliminate overgrazing, and at the same time maintain sheep farmers' income. Unless this issue is tackled immediately. irreparable damage will ensue. For some areas it is already too late. Yours, etc..
Campaigner.
Keep Ireland Open,
43 Butterfield Drive,
Dublin 14.