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The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
notice - Birds and Wildlife Nesting and Breeding Season:
Restrictions on the destruction of hedgerows and the destruction
of vegetation on uncultivated land - will take effect
from 1 March to 31 August 2010.
Section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended by Section
46 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, restricts the cutting,
grubbing, burning or destruction by other means of vegetation
growing on uncultivated land or in hedges or ditches during
the nesting and breeding season for birds and wildlife, between
1st March to 31st August.
In Ireland, hedges are of exceptional importance as habitats
- not only for birds, but also for wild flowers, shrubs and
trees - and provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife
and enhance the diversity of nature in our countryside.
These restrictions apply not only to private land-users,
but also to local authorities, public bodies and to contractors.
Although there are some exemptions to the above restrictions
- for works carried out during the normal course of agriculture
and forestry or where they are executed for public health
and safety reasons by a statutory body - it is, nevertheless,
the Department’s policy to prosecute where there appears to
have been a breach of the law.
The assistance of the public is sought in bringing to attention
any alleged unlawful cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction,
by reporting details to the Gardaí or to the local Conservation
Rangers of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS)
of the Department. Reported instances will, as far as practicable,
be investigated.
The provisions of the Wildlife Acts in relation to Section
40 including the relevant exemptions may be accessed through
the NPWS website
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