‘Illegal peat harvesting a national crisis’

Westmeath is one of seven counties in Ireland over which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sounded the alarm on the scale and severity of illegal industrial-scale peat extraction taking place.

In a damning report released last Thursday, the EPA said that significant portions of Ireland’s natural peatlands are being gouged out for export without proper oversight or licensing, and it was critical of local authorities over their failure to tackle the issue.

Dr Tom Ryan, Director of the Office of Environmental Enforcement, revealed that the agency had identified 38 large-scale illegal peat operations in seven counties. Of these, eight were in Westmeath. Also on the list were sites in: Offaly (9), Sligo (1), Roscommon (6). Tipperary (6), Longford (4), Kildare (4).

Only Longford County Council had attempted to take action to bring the illegal activities to a halt he said, adding that the environmental destruction is “catastrophic” and largely unregulated.

“It is clear that these operators are engaged in activities that are in flagrant violation of environmental law, and are destroying the precious natural environment, and this needs to stop,” Dr Ryan said.

Explaining that the EPA has responsibility for peat harvesting operations on sites of 50 hectares or greater, Dr Ryan revealed that many operators are attempting to adapt to the EPA’s enforcement efforts by reducing their operational footprint to below 50 hectares.

“That brings them out of our direct jurisdiction for enforcement and into the space where the local authorities have the direct responsibility for enforcement,” he stated.

According to the Central Statistics Office, over 300,000 tonnes of peat were exported in 2024 alone, with an estimated market value of nearly €40 million. Most of this product is destined for horticultural use in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and beyond. The EPA's report indicates that the sites under investigation are the main contributors to this lucrative but illegal export trade.

While Bord na Móna — previously Ireland’s largest peat harvester — has ceased all harvesting since 2020 and is now focused on peatland rehabilitation, illegal private operators have taken up the mantle. Their activities range from milled and sod peat production to the more damaging “wet peat” extraction used for the mushroom industry, which leaves behind scarred landscapes and exposed marl.

“These operations are not cutting turf for domestic use,” Dr Ryan clarified. “This is industrial-scale extraction — large machinery, drainage systems, and stockpiles destined for export.”

Dr Ryan was critical at the lack of response from county councils despite the EPA supplying them with detailed intelligence — including aerial photography, site sizes, and operational methods.

“The level of activity and action is minimal,” said Dr Ryan. “Some councils have taken steps, and Longford in particular is showing progress, but for most, there has been little enforcement on the ground.”

To compel action, the EPA has issued draft legal directions under Section 63 of the EPA Act to the seven local authorities, requiring them to develop county-wide and site-specific enforcement plans. If these are ignored, formal, legally binding directions will follow.

“We don’t want to reach that point,” said Dr Ryan, “but we will if necessary. Local authorities have the power and legal duty to stop this. They just need to prioritise it.”

Dr Ryan said if the operators currently acting illegally wish to continue, they need to engage with the appropriate regulations and the local authorities for the appropriate permits, and with the EPA for those operations that are above 50 hectares in footprint.