COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

MOTION NO. 172

MOTION: Councillor E. Tuffy

That on page 154 – 3.2.16 the section be re-entitled: “Rural Land-use” and that the following be added as the 1st paragraph: "The Council will  consider land-use and agriculture in a new light since the introduction of the Single Payments Scheme which is leading to a fundamental shift in farming practice. In the coming years a new perspective on rural land-use will be required, which up to now has been as seen primarily agricultural. Now under the SPS regime land, especially commonage and other rough grazing land, should be regarded primarily as an environmental/recreational activity. Farmers will be encouraged to see themselves as custodians of the countryside. The requirement to farm environmentally as a condition of payment of subsidies should be extended to include the provision of reasonable access to the countryside.” And that the draft county development plan is amended accordingly.

REPORT:

Section 3.2.16 of the Draft Plan sets out the background to land use within the County in relation to agricultural enterprise.  Policies EE29-EE33 seek to protect the viability of agriculture and horticulture within the County, the facilitation of rural related enterprises, support sustainable development of agricultural diversification and the protection of agriculture and agri-business uses. 

The Single Payments Scheme is part of EU Council Regulations (1782/2003) and deals with payments to farmers subject to conditions.  The proposed linking of the opening up of agricultural land to the payment of subsidies  is a legal matter which cannot be dealt with through the mechanism of the County Development Plan. 

To state in the Plan that land should be regarded primarily for environmental/recreational activity would undermine the importance of the agricultural land in terms of farming and local food production. Notwithstanding the potential positive impacts of the motion, it is considered that in light of the particulars detailed above, this motion should not be adopted.

MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that this Motion not be adopted.