FUNDS of €7m have been announced for farmers taking part in a scheme to enhance habitats for birds along the south coast. 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon with Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, have announced that the Operational Group led by SECAD have been approved to deliver the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project, ‘The Arable Coast Environment’, on the theme of enhancing habitats for biodiversity in an arable environment, along the coast from South Cork to Wexford.

Funding of €7m has been allocated to cover both administration costs and payments to participating farmers.

EIPs are locally-led, collaborative projects, that involve farmers testing innovative solutions and putting research into practice on farms.

The Arable Coast Environment EIP gives participating farmers a great opportunity to develop and implement new ways to support important farmland wildlife like the Hen Harrier, Yellowhammer, Skylark and Chough.

‘I commend farmers, landowners and local communities across Cork, Waterford and Wexford coming together and joining forces to protect some of our most iconic birds. This project aims to share knowledge, manage habitats, and adopt practical measures, such as leaving winter stubbles and planting wild bird cover, to allow sustainable farming and thriving wildlife to go hand-in-hand. By focusing on a flagship species such as the Hen Harrier, co-benefits should be realised across a range of nature and environmental interests, while also supporting farmers, landowners, and local communities. I wish SECAD and everyone involved all the best in this exciting initiative,’ said Deputy O’Sullivan.