Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2017
366. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 170 of 16 November 2017, if he plans to alter the regulations that will allow the landowner to replace existing vegetation with a different type that would be better for the environment and of benefit to the farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52617/17]
View answerIn 2009 hedgerows, trees in a line, drains and ditches were designated as landscape features, deeming them eligible for payment under the Direct Payments Schemes. If a landscape feature is removed it must be replaced with the same feature, for example if a length of hedgerow is removed a corresponding length of hedgerow must be re planted at another location on the holding.
My Department do not foresee any changes to this requirement.
