Fire poses one of the greatest threats to habitats in Ireland, yet properly used it can be a useful tool in the maintenance of habitat mosaics and even in the reducing the risk of wildfire itself. Grazing animals are vital for the maintenance of semi-natural habitats and can reduce fire risk by controlling the fuel load. Farmers, through their control and targeting of grazing pressure, and their use of controlled burning and other management techniques such as mowing, can be a skilled, cost-effective means of delivering not only food but a whole range of public goods, not least habitats in favourable condition and low fire risk.
When it comes to fire and fire risk management, current policy lacks subtlety. Centred on regulation and penalties, collaborative working is largely weak or absent. Farmers and livestock are not treated as potentially valued tools in the fire service's toolbox; farmers themselves are not offered the training and equipment they in turn need in their own toolbox; State support schemes largely ignore the fire issue, whether as a positive habitat management tool or a threat which can be reduced through appropriate action.
Programme
1000 Welcome and introduction: Gwyn Jones, EFNCP
1020 Fire and Irish habitats: Barry O’Donoghue, NPWS
1040 Fire and the farmer – a view from the Wicklow Mountains: Declan Byrne, Teagasc
1100 Tea break
1115 Another way is possible – lessons from the French Mediterranean: Jean-Claude Coulet & Birgit Pohle
1145 Stepping stones to a working system - the Dartmoor example: Colin Abel
1215 Lunch break
1345 Introduction to the breakout sessions
1400 Breakout sessions to discuss three sets of questions:
1) How can joined-up government for fire risk management come about in and between Irish public bodies? Facilitator: James Moran
What are the impediments?
What are the first steps?
2) How can a coherent mix of appropriate, workable measures be designed and delivered in Ireland? Facilitator: Declan Byrne
What are the impediments?
What are the first steps?
3) Are graziers destined always to be occasional ‘partners’ to be engaged when it suits in wider fire risk management? Facilitator
If not, what needs to change?
What are the first steps?
1530 Feedback, summary and action points
1630 Ends
Admission: FREE but booking is essential through the link below.
The Burrenbeo Trust is a landscape charity dedicated to connecting people and place. Our aim is to help all of us identify ways in which we care for our places.
This is carried out through providing information, education, active conservation and supporting research on the future sustainable management of the Burren region.
