Old Head of Kinsale in €7m research project

Areas of the Old Head of Kinsale are to feature in a €7m project linking research and farming practices.

The project aims to better protect some of the country’s most iconic birds.

Christopher O’Sullivan, nature and biodiversity minister, has announced an open call for proposals under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) measure of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.

The theme is to support nature in an arable environment along the coast, from South Cork to Wexford, to protect farmland wildlife like the hen harrier, yellowhammer, skylark, and chough.

“Time is running out for some of our most iconic birds, and we need to leverage all the knowledge and skills available to address the decline. I’m proud to launch this project with Minister Martin Heydon, uniting farmers, ecologists, local groups, businesses, and government to realise a vision for nature, supporting species like the hen harrier, yellowhammer, meadow pipit, and kestrel,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

He added: “Positive outcomes arise when nature and agriculture work closely together. Nature underpins the viability of agriculture in Ireland, and caring for our natural environment is in everyone’s interest. One of the great strengths of the EIPs has been their capacity to learn by trying new approaches. Through this EIP, we hope to see large-scale trialling and demonstration of how multiple benefits for biodiversity, soil, and water can be achieved in a relatively intensively farmed landscape.”

EIP projects are distinct from research projects in that they create added value by better linking research and farming practice, while informing the scientific community about the research needs of farming.

“Innovation is a key element of EIPs,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “It will foster communication through networking, develop partnerships, and disseminate knowledge and ideas across a wide range of stakeholders.”

There are two flagship EIP projects under the CSP: The Farming for Water EIP and the Breeding Waders EIP.

To date, there have been six open EIP calls under the CSP.