Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan said Agriland that Nature restoration plan It will not “replace agriculture.”
Launched today (29 April) after 15 months of work by the Independent Advisory Committee (IAC), the plan includes 94 recommendations to guide how Ireland meets its obligations under the EU Nature Restoration Act.
It is understood that implementing the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in Ireland could cost between €450 million and €700 million per year.
At the launch, Minister O’Sullivan said Agriland: “The recommendations are what we funded, so we have to put the money behind us.
“So, anything we ask farmers to do, there will be money to support that.”
Another recommendation, he added, is to “start on public lands, with international parks and nature reserves being the first starting point when it comes to restoring nature.”
The minister explained: “If we do anything on private land, for example, with farmers, it is voluntary and we have made this commitment.
“But secondly, to pay for it and incentivize farmers.
“And I think that’s why this document is a win-win for everyone.
“It’s a win-win for nature, but it’s a win-win for farmers, because if they choose to, they’ll be incentivized to do it.”
Compulsory purchase orders
When asked about the possibility of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for the scheme, Minister O’Sullivan described the option as “out of the question”.
“When it comes to expanding our national parks and nature reserves, we do it primarily when someone contacts us,” he said.
“Another example might be when we partner with another agency, like Coillte, for example, but we don’t outbid other farmers.
“We don’t want to replace agriculture.”
“We understand the importance of farmers, so civil society organizations are out of the question when it comes to the nature restoration plan,” he said.
Fears
The Nature Restoration Plan’s recommendations were based on the expertise of a multidisciplinary group of independent experts who formed the 13-person committee.
The committee was chaired by Dr Aoibhín Ní Chilábhaín and included members from a wide range of sectors, such as agriculture, fishing, forestry, local government, scientific and legal agencies and non-governmental organisations.
However, some groups and individuals expressed doubts about the plan.
“We are still largely in the dark, with no clear understanding of what is being asked of us or how it will be funded,” said John Murphy, Irish Farmers Association chair of environment and rural affairs.
“There is a lack of clarity about what is actually required of farmers and, more importantly, how it will be financed.
“When the regulation was passed in 2024, there was a clear expectation that the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund would support nature restoration. This funding has since been diverted, seriously undermining confidence,” Murphy said.
Separately, the Irish Dairy Suppliers Association (ICMSA) said there should be “no degree of coercion whatsoever” on farmers when it comes to restoring nature.
ICMSA Vice President, Eamonn Carroll, who was a member of the IAC, He said the recommendations should be “fully funded.”.
“Although there is no doubt that there are areas of improvement needed in nature on this island, we naturally expect state agencies to show initiative and use their own lands first before any question arises about the lands of private farmers,” he said.
