New Burren Research Published
Seminar Highlights Value For Money of Burren Farming For Conservation
A new study commissioned by the Clare-based BurrenLIFE project has found that there is a public willingness to pay farmers to maintain the landscape and biodiversity values of their farms. The ‘willingness to pay’ for these environmental goods was estimated at €842 per hectare by the NUI Galway based research group.
Lead researcher Dr. Tom van Rensburg explained that Burren farmers produce quality food and maintain a heritage that attracts large numbers of tourists. He also outlined that they also produce a range of ecosystem services such as clean water, landscape and biodiversity. ‘Using internationally recognised researched methods, we have been able to show that the Irish taxpayer is willing to pay farmers to continue to deliver these services’ according to Dr. van Rensburg. ‘This is a really interesting finding at a time when the national REP Scheme has been closed to new entrants’. The findings of the research team will be presented at the BurrenLIFE closing seminar held in Gort, Co. Galway today, Monday 9th November 2009.
Other findings included that of hydrogeologist Dr. Pamela Bartley who found that farming for conservation practices piloted under BurrenLIFE would result in improved water quality in the region. Other research findings include those of Dr. James Moran of Sligo IT who, together with Teagasc officials, developed a tailored feeding system using Irish sourced GM-free ingredients to sustain cattle on Burren hills over the winter. This ‘outwintering’ system allows cattle to graze back rank vegetation which in turn promotes species-rich grasslands in the spring time. The project’s scientific co-ordinator, Dr. Sharon Parr showcased some of the initial findings of the BLP’s ecological monitoring work. She indicated that grazing can help increase biodiversity of limestone grasslands but that scrub encroachment remains a major problem in the Burren, one that will require direct intervention. BLP finance officer, Mr. Ruairí Ó Conchúir noted that Burren farmers are ‘piloting a farming system which has significantly increased their household incomes level through on farm conservation measures including the maintenance of dry-stone walls, scrub removal work and the development of ‘conservation grade’ Burren beef and lamb. These activities had had a very positive impact on the local rural economy of the Burren’.
BurrenLIFE Project Manager, Dr. Brendan Dunford, claimed that the 5-year research programme undertaken by BurrenLIFE offered a compelling argument for continued public support. ‘We can show that the BurrenLIFE model of farming can help increase biodiversity on our farms while maintaining animal health, water quality and farmer income. What’s more we know the costs involved in this and we now know that society is willing to meet these costs as they generate significant public benefits’.
The pilot phase of the EC LIFE Nature funded project is scheduled to finish in January 2009. The project has been acknowledged as one of the first projects of its type where a strong partnership has been built between the Burren Irish Farmers Association, Teagasc and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In July 2009, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith TD allocated €1 million per year for the next three years to Burren farmers to roll-out conservation farming. It is hoped that additional funding will be secured in 2010 to support an operational budget. This additional funding is required for project management, farm planning, administration, research and monitoring of site works. It is hoped that this funding will be secured from the Department of the Environment and other relevant agencies. For further information on the work of BurrenLIFE is available on the Project website – www.burrenlife.com
BurrenLIFE Project, Farming for Conservation in the Burren, Old School House, Carron Co Clare, Co Clare
Tel. (wk): 065 708 9000 / Fax 065 708 9100
E: info@burrenlife.com
W: www.burrenlife.com
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