Multiple Sites in Westmeath and Offaly Under Investigation By EPA Over Peat Extraction

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 09:46

The EPA say there's clear evidence of large scale commercial peat extraction.

Multiple sites in Offaly and Westmeath are among 38 being investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency over suspected illegal peat extraction.

The EPA say there is clear evidence of large scale commercial peat extraction.

Drone footage shows machinery, drainage systems, and stacks of cut peat at bogs across the midlands.

There are nine sites in Offaly, eight in Westmeath, six each in Roscommon and Tipperary, four each in Kildare and Longford and one in Sligo.

Former Offaly Councillor, Eamon Dooley says these bogs are for the large scale compost market.

He says controlling export and import licenses might be a better way to go about enforcing the rules:

Representative of the Friends of the Irish Environment, Tony Lowes says those who have the powers to stop this won't do it:

The following is a statement from the EPA regarding the use of peat extraction in Ireland:

The unauthorised exploitation of peat on an industrial scale is causing the destruction of important natural habitats; and is compromising the role these peatlands play in helping society mitigate the impacts of and adapt to climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been investigating large scale illegal commercial peat extraction for a number of years, and has had recent success in the courts (including High Court and District Court).

The EPA is very concerned regarding the extent of ongoing illegal activity and the widespread disregard for environmental law.

This remains a key enforcement priority for EPA. The authorisation of industrial scale peat extraction in Ireland is governed by a complex set of regulations.

The EPA regulates the larger activities, greater than 50 hectares, and these activities have been the focus of EPA investigations to this point. Local authorities have key roles in regulating all commercial peat extraction that is less than 50 hectares.

EPA investigations have uncovered a significant amount of data and intelligence, including drone footage, on 38 illegal industrial scale peat extraction activities on peatland sites less than 50 hectares and has provided this information to the relevant local authorities.

It has requested that each local authority prepares countywide and site-specific enforcement plans to investigate and address all illegal activities.

These sites identified are primarily based in the midland counties (Longford, Westmeath, Kildare, Offaly, Tipperary, Roscommon and Sligo).