Conservation
Peatland Policy
Published
in 1993, many of the action points have now been implemented,
and the policy is currently being revised
|
Government policies for the protection and conservation of
peatland habitats in Northern Ireland are outlined in a unique
document "Conserving Peatland in Northern Ireland - A
Statement of Policy". An important aspect of the Peatland
Policy is that its development and the proposed initiatives
relate not just to Environment and Heritage Service (EHS)
but integrate all Government activities including Forestry,
Agriculture and Planning.
The policy includes the Government's commitment to the following:
Site Protection And Management
- EHS to designate the most important peatland sites for
nature conservation
- EHS to establish conservation regimes for a number of
peatland sites
- EHS to assist voluntary conservation bodies to purchase
important peatland sites
Peat Extraction
- Planning Service to oppose peat extraction from sites
that are, or may be, designated as Areas of Special Scientific
Interest (ASSI)
- Planning Service to oppose peat extraction from sites
in close proximity to ASSI's if the essential character
of the ASSI would be affected
- Planning Service to ensure that sites where peat has been
extracted commercially are rehabilitated once works have
finished
- Government to produce and promote a code of good practice
for turf-cutting
Forestry
- Forest Service to reaffirm its commitment not to plant
or provide grant-aid for afforestation on deep and poorly-drained
peat
Horticulture
- To cease the use of peat at Government estates and to
exclude the use of peat in all Government contracts
- Department of Agriculture to make available up-to-date
technical information on the use of peat-free products
Education
- Government to raise public awareness of the importance
of peatlands and the threats to them
- EHS to construct a fully equipped classroom at Peatlands
Park
