Ireland’s illegal turf cutting criticised in EU environmental report

Ireland is failing to properly protect raised and blanket bogs that are designated as special areas of conservation. And illegal turf cutting still takes place on raised bogs. That’s according to an EU report on member states’ implementation of EU environmental laws and policies published today (Thursday).

The European Commission’s Environmental Implementation review found that Ireland was failing to implement EU legislation in a range of areas including water treatment and protection of certain bogs, forests and marine areas. The quality of bathing water remains below average and problems with drinking water are unresolved in Ireland according to the report. It also found the increasing generation of waste remains significantly above the EU average. And ammonia emissions from agriculture “pose a significant problem”.

Adalbert Jahnz, a European Commission spokesperson, said Ireland’s record on protecting raised and blanket bogs is worrying.  

Out words: managed better

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