Grazing scheme is ‘long overdue’

Grazing scheme is ‘long overdue’

19 April 2023

A NEW grazing tender scheme in the Mournes has been described as a “long overdue opportunity” for hill farmers.

The scheme, which makes more than 2,000 hectares of land within the Mourne Wall available for commonage sheep grazing, has been welcomed by Sinn Féin.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard said it was a “long overdue opportunity for local hill farmers to secure the right to graze in their own backyard”.

Mr Hazzard, who recently met with NI Water officials, said local sheep farmers had found it difficult to secure grazing rights in the past.

He continued: “Despite being sixth and seventh generation sheep famers, many of these local hill famers have been effectively locked out of NI Water’s tendering process in the past as absentee bidders have purchased the grazing rights merely to secure lucrative agricultural subsidies with little interest, or care for the Mournes.

“This has been bad for the Mournes, bad for our water quality and bad for our local farmers.

Mr Hazzard continued: “Large areas of dry, wet, montane heath and blanket bog have consequently fallen into an unacceptable condition, which has only increased the risk of wildfire and continued erosion.

“Hopefully local farmers are now afforded an opportunity to protect and enhance the Eastern Mournes Special Area of Conservation through effective grazing practices learned over many generations of farming in the Mournes.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Leeanne McEvoy said: “We welcome the fact NI Water have recognised the previous system was not managed well and disadvantage local graziers with tenure and family ties to the area.

“This process now offers a much better chance of maintaining effective grazing levels, protecting sensitive habitat, improving water quality and affording farmers with local knowledge of the Mournes with a fair chance to farm in their community.”