798. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether a review is being undertaken of the thresholds and screening requirements governing hedgerow removal under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations; and whether consideration is being given to strengthening protections for mature hedgerows and assessing the cumulative impact of hedgerow removal. [74141/26]

A commitment to review the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Agriculture) Regulations S.I. 456 of 2011 (as amended) was made under Ireland’s previous programme for government, (2020-2024). This review is ongoing.

Hedgerows provide vital ecosystem services and landscape connectivity across the Irish farming landscapes. My Department introduced stronger protection for hedgerows under Conditionality. Under the Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC 8), a greater emphasis was placed on the retention of designated landscape features, such as  hedgerows. They cannot be removed apart from limited exceptional circumstances, namely building work and road/farm safety. This strengthening has acted as a deterrent for the removal of hedgerows, and other designated landscape features as the EIA screening application rates decreased by 54 percent between 2022 to 2023. The number of EIA screening applications has continued to reduce year-on-year since.

My Department has several voluntary schemes that support hedgerows. The Eco-scheme has two agricultural practices which aim to retain hedgerows under space for nature and by planting native trees and/or hedgerows. Under the Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES), Ireland’s flagship scheme supporting 53,000 farm families, approximately 2,300 kilometres of new hedgerows have been planted, with ongoing efforts to maintain and rejuvenate existing hedgerows. It is important to acknowledge the vital role farmers play in managing hedgerows and continue to deliver on planting new hedgerows.

Regarding the assessment of cumulative impacts of hedgerow removal, my Department uses the Area Monitoring Scheme (AMS) as a tool to monitor agricultural activities. Its purpose is to monitor various area-based schemes, including the Basic Income Support for Sustainability. Its capabilities also benefit other areas within the Department for monitoring and enforcement.

I am committed to protecting hedgerows, evidenced by the successful prosecution in late 2025, pertaining to a breach of the EIA Agriculture regulations in respect of hedgerow removal. My Department will continue to enforce the EIA Agriculture regulations.