Anger mounts over presence of ‘forestry vultures’ from the UK across Leitrim

“Alarm bells” are ringing for young farmers across the country amid the presence of forestry “vultures” in County Leitrim, the Dáil has heard.

Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice raised the issue during a recent debate on the Future of the Family Farm Bill.

He outlined the challenges facing young farmers across the country, particularly when it comes to acquiring land.

Deputy Fitzmaurice said: “We are looking at youngsters and talking about generational renewal. If you had 30 or 40 acres one time, you need more now. There is no doubt about it. Can you get that more, however?"

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“It is hard done when you go in as a young farmer. It is hard done when the solar company is trying to put solar panels on the fields beside you when it is for sale or the wind turbine fella that is owned by a foreign company is trying to put wind turbines in another field.”

He continued by highlighting the amount of trees that have been planted in County Leitrim, amid the presence of a number of forestry companies.

“The forestry companies - the vultures we decided we would bring in from England - come from another place and start bidding against you.

“It is not simple. We saw what happened in Leitrim. We see the number of trees that have been put into the likes of Leitrim.

“I know a certain number of trees are wanted, but where there are trees, whether we like it or not, there will not be houses, farmers, sheep, cattle, horticulture or whatever.”

Deputy Fitzmaurice acknowledged that forestry companies do bring employment, but encouraged people to examine the ratios per acre.

He went on to criticise the treatment of farmers across Europe and cited the number of people who have left the industry in recent years.

“If we were doing everything so right in the whole of Europe over the last 15 years, why have 5.5 million farms been shut down?

“That is a queer figure. It is 5.5 million probably multiplied by 2.5; when we are doing an election that is how we tally up how many are in a house.

“It is 12.5 million people who are now not in farming. That should ring alarm bells for us that we need a commission.”

He accused European leaders of trying to tick boxes in order to appease countries in other parts of the world.

“We can follow the European project. They are the whiz-kids. They want us to get rid of steel and bring in most of our products.

“Do you know why? Climate was mentioned many times, but it is that they want us to tick this box that we are the best kids in the world.

“This is so we can tell America, China and everyone else, but at the end of the day it is about pounds, shillings and pence.”

While Deputy Fitzmaurice acknowledged that education is important, he stressed the need for further supports for young farmers.

He concluded by encouraging the Government to rethink their approach to the agricultural industry and rural communities.