REGULATIONS covering the designation of land as special areas of conservation (SACs) are to be signed by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht next Wednesday.

Mr Higgins told the Dail yesterday there are about 10,000 landowners and occupiers involved. Pressed by Opposition deputies, he said he believed no farmer would be at a loss because of the scheme.

Since the middle of last year, he and his officials had had 15 meetings with farming organisations con all aspects of the implementation of the habitats directive, including compensation for any restrictions arising. There had also been a number of meetings with conservation interests.

Considerable progress had been made on many issues, including compensation, procedures for consultation, conditions for farming in SACs, and on an appeals system, the Minister added.

"It has been agreed that compensation will be payable for income and capital losses arising for farmers as a result of SAC designations. The form and level of compensation is still under discussion and thus it would not be helpful to comment further on this issue at this time."

Mr Higgins said the process leading ultimately to SAC designation would begin when the department wrote to landowners and occupiers. They would receive details, including maps, of the designation proposals, the conditions applicable to the sites and information on an appeals and objections mechanism and compensation arrangements.

There would also be an intensive campaign to inform people about SACs and their implications and to offer detailed information, he added. There would be advertising in local newspapers and on local radio informing the public of the designation proposals, and giving details, including a freephone information line, which the department would operate. Public meetings would be held at various locations throughout the State to listen to farmers concerns.

Those affected would have three months in which to object, on scientific grounds, to the designation proposal. They could also object on the basis of the conditions proposed for their lands, said Mr Higgins.

An independent advisory board would be appointed with equal representation between land owners and other conservation interests and with an independent chairman to make recommendations to him on objections raised, he added. Independent arbitration would also be available on the level of compensation to be paid in the event of an agreement not being reached.