EU threatens Ireland with highest legal action on illegal peat cutting

The European Commission is threatening to take Ireland to the European Court of Justice if it fails to stop illegal peat extraction in protected areas. The Commission today called on Ireland to take action to stop the ongoing cutting of peat in areas designated to conserve raised bogs and blanket bogs under the EU Habitats Directive. The Commission says peat cutting activities in these areas are still ongoing and enforcement action by the Irish authorities “appears to have stalled”.

Ireland now has two months to respond to the Commission’s latest legal proceedings. Otherwise it may decide to refer Ireland to the EU Court of Justice.

European Commission spokesperson Adalbert Jahnz (Yans) says it is “extremely important” to protect bogs in Ireland.

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