Michael Fitzmaurice, chair of the Independent Ireland Commission, criticized the European Commission’s decision to refer Ireland to an EU court over peat-cutting “projects”.
The Commission confirmed today (Thursday 4 June) that it has decided to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union, because it claims the country has failed to “comply” with environmental rules governing “peat extraction projects”.
Under EU law, peat extraction projects that could significantly impact the environment must undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
According to the committee, these assessments not only ensure public participation, but “also ensure the conservation of peatlands, which play a vital role in ecological balance and climate mitigation.”
However, the Irish Independent’s agriculture spokesman believes the decision to refer Ireland to the EU Court of Justice is part of a “revenge” against the likes of peat milling operators in Ireland.
The Roscommon-Galway TD believes it is “disgusting” that the European Commission has referred – what it described as “peat extraction projects” – to the Court of Justice, because MP Fitzmaurice believes it has “already made a decision that it is illegal”.
The European Commission said today in relation to Ireland that it recognizes that “there remains significant peat cutting activity, which is not subject to planning permission or environmental impact assessment, particularly in relation to sites of less than 50 hectares”.
“Despite evidence of these ongoing illegal activities, no enforcement action has been taken at the local level,” the statement read.
“The Commission considers that the efforts made by the Irish authorities were insufficient, and therefore refers Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union.”
Peat grinding
According to MP Fitzmaurice, he sees the case as a “revenge” against the likes of peat milling operators.
He believes there is no recognition of the role that peat milling plays in Ireland’s professional horticulture industry.
Ground peat or casing is traditionally used for mushroom production.
“Would the environmental lobby prefer that peat come by boat to Ireland?
“Will the mushroom casing come from Latvia or another country? Does that make sense?” asked Rep. Fitzmaurice.
Environmental groups
However, the Environmental Pillars Group, made up of 32 NGOs, today welcomed the European Commission’s decision to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice.
Fintan Kelly, Senior Land Use Officer at the Environmental Pillar, said: “The European Commission’s decision is welcome and necessary.
“Ireland has been slow to properly comply with the EIA guidance in relation to industrial peat mining.
“While Ireland has taken some steps, including action by the EPA on larger commercial sites and the rehabilitation of Bord na Mona land, the failure of local authorities to regulate other large commercial operators has forced the Commission to take action.”
According to the National Environmental Pillar Report “total commercial and domestic swamp extraction is estimated at 70,020 hectares.”
But it also claimed that “satellite assessment of midland bogs alone indicates that peat extraction covers 119,000 hectares – 70% higher than reported for all peatlands combined.”
The Environmental Pillar confirmed that it and a number of member organizations have been working with the Commission for a long time, and said that it was “satisfying to see the Commission stepping in to support the rule of law and protect peatlands in Ireland.”
