Ireland's Environment Minister John Gormley has reminded local authorities, public bodies, contractors and private land owners of their responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relating to restrictions on the destruction of hedgerows, and vegetation on uncultivated land.

Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Amendment Act 2000, restricts the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction by other means of vegetation growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches during the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife, from 1 March to 31 August.

-- Advertisement --

This is subject to certain specific exceptions. It is the case that, in most instances, it is required by law that work to hedgerows is carried out outside this period.

Minister Gormley said: "My Department has recently reminded local authorities and various public bodies of the responsibilities in this area under the Wildlife Acts.

"I consider that it is possible, in most cases, to schedule and carry out work to hedgerows outside this period. Regrettably a number of situations arose last year which required my Department to seek appropriate prosecution in certain instances."

The Minister confirmed that it is still his policy to prosecute those found to be in breach of this legislation, including public bodies.

Mr Gormley said he takes a particularly serious view of infringements by local authorities, given his Ministerial responsibilities in relation to local government and the wildlife staff of his Department are paying particular attention to this area again in 2009.

In recent years the National Parks and Wildlife Service have brought a number of successful prosecutions for breaches of Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts against both individuals and local authorities.

(PR/JM)