AS TURF cutting will be banned from bogs designated as special areas of conservation (SACs) after this spring's cutting season, many people are angry and fear that a ban on the harvesting of peat on all bogs may soon follow.
Many of the 200 turf cutters in one 1,000-acre bog serving Mountbellew and Newbridge parishes in North Galway voiced their anger last week as they started turf cutting there for the last time.
Other turf cutters from the nearby Dunmore-Brownsgrove area expressed their annoyance at the legislation by having a winning float in a number of Co Galway St Patrick's Day parades lamenting the demise of turf cutting in the SAC raised bogs.
"They are putting wildlife before people by bringing in this legislation and turf is more important to people than the wildlife," says Carmelita Lee of the group.
"If this happens in the raised bogs today it may be extended to all other bogs in the future, and we must ask the question where is it all going to stop," she added.
The EU Habitats Directive which is now impacting on turf cutting in the SAC bogs was announced in 1999, but cutters were allowed 10 years for removing turf for domestic purposes from the 32 designated raised bogs.
A Department of the Environment spokeswoman said this directive will protect rare flora and fauna, especially rare heather.
"Over half of the 32 bogs affected nationally are in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon and that is why there is so much anger regarding this in the West," said Galway East TD Paul Connaughton (FG). He is personally affected by the ban, as his family will no longer be allowed cut turf at Carnagopple Bog near Mountbellew.
While the National Parks and Wildlife Service has issued a statement denying reports that all turf cutting by individuals will be banned on all bogs, several of those protesting this week at Carnagopple bog near Mountbellew fear this will change.
"With the Greens in Government we are very worried that once they start banning turf cutting on any bog they might extend it to all bogs," said one farmer.
Mr Connaughton said the legislation will impact on over 1,000 acres of bog where he and almost 200 others harvest their turf.
"I sincerely hope they are not thinking of extending it to all bogs and indeed with fewer people cutting turf now, there should be no need for it either on the SAC bogs where the cutting of good quality turf remains commercially viable.
"Why not designate instead as SACs the thousands of acres of raised bogs where the turf is of so poor a quality that it is not good enough for cutting," he said.
He dismissed a statement from the National Parks and Wildlife Service that the voluntary compensation scheme on offer from Duchas is "generous".
"I would get €3,500 if I sell my acre of raised bog, but as the turf I cut there is worth €800 annually, the amount of compensation would be used up in about four years and the plot of bog would be gone as well," he said.
"It is an important asset that has been passed down through the generations and many people see no reason why they can't pass it on to the next generation as well.
"The plot of bog is in the title deeds of most farms and is considered the same as a field. It has the same importance for the economic and environmental operation of a farm," he added.
Connacht IFA vice-president Michael Silke has called on the Minister for the Environment John Gormley to extend the derogation to allow turf cutting for domestic purposes in designated SAC bog throughout the country.
He says domestic turf cutting has little or no environmental impact on designated bogs and that up to 6,000 bog users will be affected by the restrictions.