Commenting on the recent release of the Nature Restoration Law Report from the Independent Advisory Committee, the Deputy President of ICMSA, Eamon Carrroll, who sat on the Committee, said that a great deal of time and commitment had gone into the development and publication of the Report, but he said that the absolute core principle around which everything else must revolve was the voluntary nature of participation.

“Farm organisations, officials from state agencies and civil servants spent 15 months assembling this report and every one of the 94 recommendations was pored over and painstakingly worked through.

The key message here is that any participation by farmers must be voluntary and there can be no degree whatsoever of compulsion.

This was discussed by our National Council as late as yesterday and they are adamant that this voluntary dimension must be the starting point and the operating principle.

Obviously, the recommendations must be funded completely and while there’s no doubt that there are areas of improvements needed in nature on this Island, we naturally expect state agencies to show a lead and use their own lands first before any question arises on private farmers’ land.

Farmers are happy to play our part, but we have to be able to farm and make a living.

In summary then, farmer participation must be voluntary, any actions must be fully and demonstrably funded and ICMSA will expect state agencies like Coillte and Bord na Mona to lead the way and prioritise their own lands for restoration before any question of voluntary measures even arise on private farmers’ land”, said Mr Carroll.