Poots launches Peatland consultation

Date published: 10 June 2021

Environment Minister, Edwin Poots MLA, has launched a public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040, during a visit to Cuilcagh Mountain Special Area of Conservation in County Fermanagh.

Minister Poots pictured with Jennifer Fulton, CEO of Ulster Wildlife

During the visit, the Minister met with local landowners and Ulster Wildlife, who are working together and with other partners through the Collaborative Action for the Natural Network (CANN) project to restore precious peatland habitat on this iconic mountain.

Due to the popularity of the Cuilcagh Mountain boardwalk, erosion was caused to the very fragile upland habitat.  The CANN project, funded under the INTERREG VA programme, has delivered habitat restoration and improved the path which leads to the summit cairn.

Speaking after the visit, Minister Poots said: “Fresh air, beautiful views and the wish for some physical activity, have established the Cuilcagh Mountain boardwalk as a must-see visitor attraction in Northern Ireland. Of course, as its popularity increases, our efforts to protect it must also increase.

“I am really pleased to see the work being undertaken at Cuilcagh Mountain Special Area of Conservation. Ulster Wildlife and their partners, including participating landowners, are striving to restore peatland habitat. It is vital that we do everything we can to protect this exceptional part of Northern Ireland, whilst at the same time, enabling visitors to enjoy what the area has to offer.”

In launching the public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040, Minister Poots said: “Peatland restoration is a really important nature-based solution for addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis. I have therefore issued a public consultation on a draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy and I am keen to hear a range of views about our proposals to take forward peatland conservation and restoration over the next two decades.

“DAERA has a vision of a protected and enhanced natural environment, which underpins our emerging policies and programmes to deliver ecological and climate resilience through nature-based solutions, green growth and sustainable agriculture.”

At Cuilcagh, local farmers, John Sheridan, and Aidan and Terry McGovern are working in partnership with Ulster Wildlife to repair and restore bare, eroded areas of peat on a commonage with agreement from their fellow graziers. This restoration work is carefully planned using data collected from a drone using LiDAR followed by hydrological analysis to ensure the appropriate techniques are used to restore the Blanket Bog.  This has included the use of coir logs and reprofiling of peat banks. 

The Minister concluded:  “It’s great to see the work that John, Aidan and Terry are doing to restore the blanket bog, which will have a range of environmental benefits. My officials are working with farmers and land managers, agricultural industry representatives and environmental stakeholders to co-design agri-environment policy and schemes. This approach will deliver a range of environmental outcomes, including improvements in water and air quality, biodiversity and reductions in carbon emissions, as well as sustaining agriculture and local communities. 

“I am also committed to delivering a new ten year Biodiversity Strategy, in a renewed effort to better safeguard and restore Northern Ireland’s natural environment, in line with the UN Leaders Pledge for Nature, to which the UK is a signatory.”

During the visit, Jennifer Fulton, CEO of Ulster Wildlife commended the local landowners for their interest and commitment:

“Farmers have a vital role to play as stewards of Cuilcagh Mountain, ensuring its rare habitats and species are cared for and protected for current and future generations. By blocking drains to rewet the peat so that it sequesters carbon and by carefully re-profiling bare eroded peat, they have taken the first steps on the journey towards net-zero carbon.  This also improves the biodiversity value of the area.”

The public consultation on the draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040 will be open for 12 weeks from 9th June until 1st September 2021 and is available on the DAERA website - https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/ni-peatland-strategy-consultation

Notes to editors: 

1. DAERA have developed a draft Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040 which will which will provide a framework for conserving intact semi-natural peatlands and restoring degraded semi-natural peatlands. The public consultation on the draft document will be open for 12 weeks from 9th June until 1st September 2021 and is available on the DAERA website at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/consultations/ni-peatland-strategy-consultation

2. Collaborative Action for the Natural Network (CANN), funded under the INTERREG VA programme, is a cross-border environment project that aims to improve the condition of protected wetland habitats and to support priority species found within Northern Ireland, the Border Region of Ireland and Scotland.  This includes the development of conservation action plans and direct conservation actions to restore a suite of protected peatland habitats, including at Cuilcagh Mountain SAC, working closely with ecologists in Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

3. With €9.4 million of funding from the INTERREG VA programme, the CANN project team is comprised of 11 partners, involving scientists, researchers, local authorities, charities and community organisations ((including Ulster Wildlife), led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.  The partners are producing Conservation Action Plans for a range of sites which are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and accumulatively account for over 25,000 hectares of land. Direct conservation actions carried out on 3,650 hectares will help and guide the habitats and species towards a favourable conservation status. The project has already begun to carry out large scale peatland restoration works at several sites with much more to be delivered by the end of the project.

4. The INTERREG VA Programme for 2014-2020 was designed to create a more prosperous and sustainable cross-border region, involving Northern Ireland, the border counties of the Republic of Ireland and Western Scotland. It is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), although DAERA is the accountable department for the Environment theme and has an oversight role in ensuring that supported projects represent value for money as well as meeting the requirements of the INTERREG programme.

5. Of particular relevance is Objective 2.1: Restoration of protected habitats and species which has provided almost ~€15M for the development of conservation action plans for Special Areas of Conservation and restoration of 4,500 ha of peatland and other wetland habitats.

6. Follow DAERA on Twitter and Facebook

7. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office 

8. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

Share this page

Back to top