Over 50 concerned farmers, contractors and residents attended a public meeting in Cloneen Hall, at the foothills of Slievenamon, Co Tipperary this week to discuss the response to the recent fires on the mountain.

The meeting was chaired by South Tipperary IFA Chair Darragh Scott, with IFA Hill Farming Chair James Gallagher, IFA Munster Regional Chair Conor O’Leary and IFA Forestry Chair Padraig Stapleton, in attendance.

Darragh Scott said there was widespread concern expressed at the meeting about the lack of a co-ordinated response to the fires. While the tremendous work carried out by the local fire brigade and others who assisted in bringing the fires under control was acknowledged, those in attendance felt that a more co-ordinated approach was needed.

The meeting also heard of the huge voluntary effort made by local farmers and contractors, who spent countless hours bringing water and equipment onto the mountain to help douse the fires and protect land, livestock and property. There was a strong view that appropriate recognition of this work, including recompense for fuel costs incurred, should be forthcoming.

Significant criticism was also expressed in relation to the response of NPWS and Coillte, with a clear view from the meeting that lessons must be learned from what happened and that better procedures are needed in the future.

IFA gave a commitment at the meeting to engage with Tipperary County Council and ask the Council to convene a round-table meeting of the relevant parties.

A subcommittee of concerned and affected landowners farming Slievenamon was also formed following the meeting. The group will work to identify the key issues facing those farming and managing the mountain and to develop a plan and strategy for how these issues should be addressed in the future.

IFA Hill Farming Chair James Gallagher said farmers who legitimately farm and manage Slievenamon cannot be held responsible or penalised for fires which were outside of their control.

“The message from this meeting is very clear. Farmers cannot be penalised for what happened on Slievenamon. They had no responsibility for these fires, and in many cases local farmers played an important role in helping to protect the mountain, livestock and surrounding property.”

“Any payments owed to farmers must be paid in full and without delay. Farmers who are actively farming and managing these lands cannot be left with the consequences of something that was entirely outside of their control.”

Darragh Scott said the turnout at the meeting demonstrated the level of concern within the local farming community and among residents following the fires.

He said the priority now must be to ensure that the concerns raised at the meeting are taken on board, that farmers are protected from any financial consequences, and that clear lessons are learned to ensure a better response in the future.