European Commission referring Ireland to court over turf cutting enforcement

The European Commission has referred Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union over turf cutting.

They say this is because Ireland has failed to apply the Habitats Directive to protect sites designated for raised and blanket bog habitats from peat harvesting.

The Habitats Directive requires EU Member States to protect their natural habitats from harmful activities.

In a statement, the European Commission said: "These sites in Ireland continue to be degraded through drainage and turf cutting activities, and insufficient action is being taken to restore the sites.

“These areas are biodiversity hotspots playing host to important insect and bird species. They are categorised as “priority” habitats under the Directive due to their unique qualities.

“Peat bogs are also vital carbon sinks when healthy, while a UN report estimated that Ireland's degraded peatlands emit 21.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.”

They say that correspondence was sent to Ireland in 2011 and acknowledged that some progress had been made.

“Despite some progress, the Irish authorities have not fully addressed the shortcomings. The Commission considers that efforts by the Irish authorities have, to date, been insufficient and is therefore referring Ireland to the Court of Justice of the European Union.”