Westmeath under investigation by EPA for 'large scale' illegal peat extraction

Westmeath is one of seven counties included in an Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation into illegal 'large scale' peat extractions.

Westmeath, Roscommon, Offaly, Longford, Sligo, Kildare, and Tipperary are all included in the new Large Scale Illegal Peat Extraction report by the EPA.

Westmeath has the second highest amount of sites under investigation, with eight sites. This is topped only by neighbouring Offaly, which has nine sites subject to investigation in the county.

Roscommon has a total of six sites under investigation by the EPA for illegal peat extraction.

Large scale peat extraction can only take place if it is granted planning permission. In some cases, an EPA licence is also required.

A planning permission and/or EPA licence will set out conditions which control how the operation takes place. It also controls how the peatlands are rehabilitated and remediated afterwards. This ensures the extraction can take place in an environmentally safe manner.

Up until 2020, Bord na Móna lawfully operated nine different peatland complexes across 11 counties. All of these bogs were operated in accordance with Integrated Pollution Control Licences issued by the EPA.

The extraction of peat at these peatlands has now ceased and large scale remediation programmes are underway in accordance with EPA licence requirements.