A wildfire that blazed for three days in the Killarney National Park in late April is now having a severe impact on farm payments according to Kerry TD Michael Healy Rae.
Deputy Healy Rae has hit out at the department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine after a number of farmers who had their lands burnt by the fire had payments cuts.
Department Actions – Beyond Belief
“I find it beyond belief that the department of Agriculture is cutting those farmers of their farm payments saying that they have burnt ground considering it was the state’s land that the fire came from.
“The farmers did their level best to fight the fire and to keep it out of their property and now they are being hit with a financial penalty,” he said.
Accidental Causes
“The fire, which devastated parts of Killarney National Park, cost more than €21,000 on private aerial support to help bring the blaze under control.
“Inspector Gary Thompson, who led the Garda inquiry ruled out the burning of land for clearance as the investigation pointed towards ‘accidental causes.’
Now some four months after the blaze broke out farmers who bound the Park have seen their farm payments cut due despite a number of them spending up to three days fighting the fire.
Fire From the National Park
“This fire started in the National Park and spread out. It went into adjoining farmers’ lands burnt their fences and did a lot of damage to their grounds.
“It damaged their wire and fences and despite fighting hard to keep the fire out of their lands they are being penalised. Its is beyond a joke,” Deputy Michael Healy Rae concluded.
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