I spent a large part of the afternoon trying to come to terms with the policy and strategy framework for agricultural biodiversity in Ireland, especially in Northern Ireland (NI). While there is a considerable amount of information on biodiversity in general there is little written about agricultural biodiversity in particular. In regards to agriculture the emphasis is on the role of farming in helping to protect the environment and rural habitats. Very little seems to be written about the importance and role of crop and livestock diversity on-farm and how this contributes to a more resilient farming system as well as spillover effects for the environment and rural habitats.
The Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of Environment provides a considerable amount of the information available on general biodiversity in NI. This includes the NI Biodiversity Strategy and Recommendations for Biodiversity Conservation Action. Their website also contains useful information on the various partners involved including government departments, universities, local district councils and other relevant organisations. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) is listed as the main partner responsible for leadership on the role of agriculture in promoting biodiversity and natural habitat protection with a particular responsibility for conservation arrangements for plant cultivars and livestock breeds. Unfortunately, I could not find much information on the DARD website regarding initiatives and activities that might be underway to achieve these conservation arrangements and who the main partners in agricultural biodiversity might be.
At an all-island level there are a few interesting networks and strategies that address agricultural biodiversity. Firstly, there is the Irish Genetic Resources Conservation Trust (IGRCT), which is a non-governmental organisation whose main objective is to promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of Ireland's plant and animal genetic resources with a good focus on agricultural biodiversity. While listing those individuals and organisations involved it is not clear who is involved or participating from NI. Participation in such a network would seem an appropriate strategy of 'exploring mechanisms for promoting biodiversity conservation on an all-island basis' as highlighted in the NI Biodiversity Strategy. A National Plant Conservation Strategy for Ireland is another useful all-island document and includes a number of targets and actions relevant to supporting conservation of agricultural biodiversity.
But I am still concerned about the lack of general information on agricultural biodiversity issues in NI. If you are interested in, or work with, agricultural biodiversity in NI I would be grateful if you could share information on any of the following: What current activities are underway in relation to agricultural biodiversity and conservation in NI? Who are the main actors and organisations involved in agricultural biodiversity, in addition to DARD, in NI? What is the extent of all-island networking and cooperation among partners in relation to agricultural biodiversity?
The Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of Environment provides a considerable amount of the information available on general biodiversity in NI. This includes the NI Biodiversity Strategy and Recommendations for Biodiversity Conservation Action. Their website also contains useful information on the various partners involved including government departments, universities, local district councils and other relevant organisations. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) is listed as the main partner responsible for leadership on the role of agriculture in promoting biodiversity and natural habitat protection with a particular responsibility for conservation arrangements for plant cultivars and livestock breeds. Unfortunately, I could not find much information on the DARD website regarding initiatives and activities that might be underway to achieve these conservation arrangements and who the main partners in agricultural biodiversity might be.
At an all-island level there are a few interesting networks and strategies that address agricultural biodiversity. Firstly, there is the Irish Genetic Resources Conservation Trust (IGRCT), which is a non-governmental organisation whose main objective is to promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of Ireland's plant and animal genetic resources with a good focus on agricultural biodiversity. While listing those individuals and organisations involved it is not clear who is involved or participating from NI. Participation in such a network would seem an appropriate strategy of 'exploring mechanisms for promoting biodiversity conservation on an all-island basis' as highlighted in the NI Biodiversity Strategy. A National Plant Conservation Strategy for Ireland is another useful all-island document and includes a number of targets and actions relevant to supporting conservation of agricultural biodiversity.
But I am still concerned about the lack of general information on agricultural biodiversity issues in NI. If you are interested in, or work with, agricultural biodiversity in NI I would be grateful if you could share information on any of the following: What current activities are underway in relation to agricultural biodiversity and conservation in NI? Who are the main actors and organisations involved in agricultural biodiversity, in addition to DARD, in NI? What is the extent of all-island networking and cooperation among partners in relation to agricultural biodiversity?
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