20 JULY 2018

ICSA rural development chairman Seamus Sherlock, in reaction to the publication of the Greenways strategy, said that consultation and respecting the wishes of landowners is key.  “CPOs have no place in greenway development because a tourism strategy that does not have local goodwill cannot succeed.”

“However, ICSA acknowledges the acceptance by the Minister that the development of a Code of Practice for greenway development must first be agreed between the Department and the farm organisations.

The Minister must understand that adverse impacts on farming operations are not acceptable. The suggestion in the strategy that farmers can develop new businesses as a result of the greenway is hopelessly optimistic. No amount of scone sales will mitigate the disaster of severing a farm in two.”

ENDS