Climate & Environment

Irish farmers still allowed to burn hedge cuttings as ban is pushed back

While the ban was meant to be in place from January 1, many farmers were unaware of this

Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment: Ryan had announced last year that farmers would be banned from burning bushes from January 1 this year but he has now decided to allow it for the remainder of this year. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Eamon Ryan, the Minister for the Environment, has postponed his ban on bush burning by farmers after being warned that they might act “illegally” otherwise.

Farmers have been allowed to burn the remnants of hedge cuttings on their lands for many years, in line with previous EU rules to stop hedges growing onto productive farmland.

Ryan had announced last year that farmers would be banned from doing this from January 1 last to improve air ...