Tourism industry needs to address hill farmer concerns

THE need to address a number of key concerns in relation to land access and issues around liability have been outlined by the Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association following a very constructive meeting with Minister Michael Ring

National vice-president Henry O’Donnell pointed to a substantial increase in the numbers accessing our hills for recreational purposes, which has increased from 168,000 in 2003 to almost 2.35 million in 2018.

In recognising the huge bonus this provides for the local and national economy, there is, he stated, 'a strong feeling amongst farmers that they are left out once again with some of the opinion that they are starting to feel over-run by the ever increasing number of people walking their hills'.

“While we all appreciate how a thriving tourism industry can benefit local communities and the country as a whole, there also needs to be the realisation that these hills are privately owned and seen by those landowners as business and farms with the primary objective being the production and maintenance of livestock,” he said.

In recent times, Mr. O'Donnell added, “public access to these hills has adversely impacted on farmers through issues such as sheep worrying by dogs, increased pollution and litter, gorse fires leading to lands been made ineligible for farm payments, gates not being closed and fences broken, allowing stock onto public roads, and the concern of possible claims against them from walkers that may have got injured.”

For too long, he continued, farmer concerns have been ignored.

“While we acknowledge attempts being made by the minister in addressing the issue of liability (which is being piloted in two areas) this issue and others outlined need to be prioritised for all hill farmers.”

O’Donnell stressed: “A tourism industry that ignores the property rights and concerns of our farmers is not sustainable, which is why we need full engagement in addressing these concerns and finding a way to include farmers and reward them for the public goodwill they are providing.”