
Department of Agriculture has said that it is using satellite technology to investigate all of the recent incidents of illegal burning of land.
Officials in the Department are analysing a range of satellite imagery to identify land which was burnt illegally during the specified closed season for burning.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle said historic satellite imagery is also being examined as part of this process.
“My Department will not tolerate incidences of illegal burning of land and will take all necessary actions to ensure compliance with the conditions of the various EU funded area-based schemes, including reducing payments and penalties where applicable."
Recent extensive wildfires throughout the country have caused significant damage to substantial areas of agricultural and forestry land.
“Agricultural and eligible forestry land identified as burnt illegally as part of this investigation will be deemed ineligible for payment under the 2017 Basic Payment and other area-based schemes," the Minister said.
The Minister advised farmers and their advisors, of the following in relation to agricultural and eligible forestry land which is burnt illegally during the closed season – i.e. March 1 to August 31.