FARMERS concerns over new environmental designations of lands were discussed yesterday in a three sided meeting of the Department of Agriculture, the Irish Farmers' Association and the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

The meeting lasted two hours and a further session has been arranged for a fortnight's time to discuss what sources called "new ideas" on compensation and consultation.

The IFA deputy president, Mr Michael Slattery, said prior to the talks that the proposed designation of lands as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) by the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins "seriously infringes and threatens the rights of ownership of property".

"The concerns of farmers must be allayed," Mr Slattery said. The acceptance of consultation, compromise and compensation procedures by the Minister was "a step in the right direction".

He said the Minister's announcement that he was to defer signing the statutory instrument bringing the SAC legislation into effect until February 1st would allow breathing space for a "comprehensive package" to be assembled, taking account of the farmers' concerns.

The Fianna Fail arts, culture and heritage spokeswoman, Ms Sile de Valera, welcomed what she described as a "U turn" by the Minister. "His handling of the issue up to now has been disgraceful and the jackboot tactic of forcing the issue through was never going to achieve a balanced approach to conservation," she said in a statement.

The Progressive Democrats' environment spokeswoman, Ms Mairin Quill said there must be compromise. "Landowners and land occupiers must be given the categoric assurance that no decision will be made without total consultation."