INHFA demands immediate review of Greenway Code of Best Practice

THE Irish Natura & Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have called on Transport Industry Ireland (TII) and the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to suspend all plans pertaining to the development of any more greenways and immediately engage with community groups and farming organisations around the Code of Best Practice for Greenways.

National vice-president John Joe Fitzgerald stressed the need for action on the Code of Best Practice as it allows the use of the CPO option in acquiring land for greenways, which he stated 'should never have been included and wouldn’t if the INHFA had been part of the discussions'.

Said Mr. Fitzgerald: “While there are a number of good points in this code, it is disappointing that the farming organisations that signed up to this code accepted the CPO option.

“By facilitating CPOs (even as a last resort) we have unfortunately allowed this option or threat of this option to be used at a very early stage in trying to acquire the necessary lands.”

Following widespread discussion with landowners around the country on this issue, Mr. Fitzgerald said it is 'very clear that taking land through this option has now become a red line for all those impacted, which is why we need to go back to the drawing board on this'.

He said: “The minister and TII must ensure all greenway plans are put on hold and sit down with all farming organisations and those groups representing impacted landowners to redraw the Code of Best Practice.”

Mr. Fitzgerald also expressed his concern around the viability of the greenway spending, stating: “The monies allocated for greenways could deliver much better outcomes for communities through an improved Leader budget.”

However, in concluding, he added: “If the policy is to continue with the current level of funding towards greenways, then these projects should only continue where agreement is made through permissive access given from impacted landowners.”