Independent survey needed before BNM rewetting begins says ICMSA

(Above) Denis Drennan of the ICMSA.

An ‘independent baseline survey’ should be carried out before Bord na Mona's rewetting project begins, according to the ICMSA.

The farming organisation has written to Bord na Mona proposing that an independent baseline survey be carried out in advance of the massive rewetting project proposed for several midlands’ sites.

Denis Drennan, who chairs the association’s Farm & Rural Affairs Committee, has written to the semi-state detailing a comprehensive list of conditions and considerations that the association will want responses to before the project begins in earnest.

Mr Drennan was emphatic on the need for an independent baseline survey to take what he described as a "pre-wetting snapshot" of the local conditions before any work starts, so that all the parties have an accurate and agreed picture of the situation from which any changes can be mapped.

Mr Drennan said that the ICMSA considers this to be the most urgent and important preliminary consideration.

“We met and consulted with our members in the areas and have taken on board their concerns. On foot of that we have submitted a detailed list of matters that we think will require responses before the rewetting commences. We’ve already stated that we have no issue with the decision of Bord na Mona to do what it wishes with its own land; but we have been equally forthright that we are going to insist that the actions they carry out on their land cannot be allowed degrade or destroy the productivity and value of private farms that border the Bord na Mona bogs.

"I don’t think anyone could conclude that that is an unreasonable position and – with all due respect to Bord na Mona – we don’t think that the farms around the bogs in question can afford to just take anyone’s word for matters that are so fundamental as this. We’re not being cynical, but we can’t afford to be naïve either. There are just way too many cases down through the years where farmers were told to trust agencies and boards and organisations and have had to look on while commitments and vague undertakings were casually ripped up or shrugged off. We’re determined that that won’t be happening here”, said Mr Drennan.

The very first thing that must happen, according to the ICMSA Committee Chairperson, is the commission and submission of a baseline report that sets out the condition and infrastructure of the affected areas before any work connected with the rewetting commences.

“We have to know and all agree where we’re starting from, so that we can know and agree on any changes – good or bad – that can be identified after the rewetting begins. So we would like that baseline survey to be commissioned by Bord na Mona or the Department of the Environment and we would like the group carrying out the report to be expert and independent. This is going to be a landmark project and everything about it – specifically, the local conditions before it started - need to be of the highest quality and of unquestioned independence and expertise”, said Mr Drennan.

“This has to go forward on the basis of co-operation and good faith and we think that the first step in that process would be an announcement by Bord na Mona that they will commission such a report and that local farmers will have an input on which group or firm will be commissioned to carry out the baseline survey report”, concluded Mr Drennan.