Fergal Monaghan News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Ahead of the deadline for the ACRES Non-Productive Investments (NPI), there has been 7,000 applications for these actions so far.

Green Party Minister takes to the Slieve Blooms on the trail of the Hen Harrier Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett visits High Nature Value Farm Reporter: news@leinsterexpress.ie Minister Pippa Hackett visits an upland high nature farm in the Slieve Blooms which participates in the Hen Harrier Project and hears of how the land is sustainably managed. ');  '); Super junior Laois Offaly Minister Pippa Hackett took to the Slieve Blooms as National Biodiversity week got underway to see first-hand what is necessary for the protected Hen Harrier to flourish in the Slieve Bloom mountains. ...

Iriseoir Fise Farmers are being encouraged to look at alternatives to gorse burning in an effort to protect the habitat of the hen harrier. New conservation trials are using horses and goats to keep gorse under control, in the hope the approach will lead to better habitats for the threatened bird of prey. Under the project, trial zones have been fenced off on selected farms and stocked with both goats and horses. The animals target gorse and brambles and other scrub. It is hoped that will illustrate the value of traditional methods and lead to effective and sustainable upland management.