merrion street

Friday, 7th March, 2014 Jimmy Deenihan, TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht this morning launched the ‘Wetlands and Agriculture: Partners for Growth’ Conference in the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre.

Wetlands have been used by agriculture for millennia, especially on river floodplains where soil is rich and fertile and water is plentiful. Wetland habitat is unfortunately not compatible with many modern Irish farming methods. This conference, presented by The Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, in association with the Irish Ramsar Wetlands Committee, will explore some of the issues around wetlands and land management, such as planning regulations, agri-environmental schemes, flood management and other alternatives to wetland usage, such as agri-tourism.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister Deenihan said “The issue of the management of Ireland’s wetlands is a complex one, and I am delighted to see so many academics, government departments and agencies, non-governmental agencies and stakeholder organisations represented at this conference. How land-use can complement conservation and how agriculture can co-exist with our wetlands is a central question, recognised in the draft National Peatlands Strategy, which all policy makers and stakeholders must engage with so that our natural heritage can be protected for the benefit of all our people.”

More information can be found at www.traleebaywetlands.org