Plans to remove the familiar sheep dotted around the hills of Connemara have been slated by a Galway senator.

Speaking following the Letterfrack Fine Gael AGM last week, Senator Fidelma Healy Eames expressed concern at "the potential elimination of hundreds of Connemara sheep farmers' livelihoods", arising as a result of the National Parks and Wildlife Service's (NPWS) de-stocking proposal.

"To have to remove the sheep from the hills for five months of the year is not feasible for hundreds of Connemara farmers. They do not have adequate low-lying land nor do they have the sheds to house them. This NPWS proposal is extreme given that these sheep are native to the hills, they are 'mountainous' sheep by nature, the hills have been their natural home for generations.

"If the NPWS want to limit over-grazing, in the first instance they should respect local knowledge and consult with the farmers concerned. This is the best way to reach a workable solution. Farmers know best how to manage the mountains. They have been guardians of the environment since time began," she said.

Senator Healy Eames said that destocking was proven not to be the answer for protecting the environment, citing the Burren as an example.

"Limited grazing that was permitted on the Burren has now been found to be unsuccessful, creating as it did takeover by natural vegetation e.g. hazel, which contributed to more damage in the long run than traditional grazing practices. This would suggest to me that it may be time to get independent expert advice in Connemara before proceeding any further.

Senator Healy Eames complimented the IFA's involvement in the issue and called on Minister Eamon O Cúiv to defend the farmers, saying Connemara would soon be depopulated "not just of sheep but of farmers as well".

Minister O Cúiv was not available for comment, but a spokesperson for the NPWS said the plan was intended to ensure that the commonage is grazed sustainably and that the off-wintered stock can be managed on the private land over the winter period.

The spokesperson explained that the measures were formulated after a decision by the European Court of Justice ruled that Ireland had failed to fulfil legal obligations in relation to safeguarding biodiversity and habitats.

The restrictions apply to all farmers using the area and will be catered for under a new REPS scheme.

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