THE FARMING community has been told that they will not be allowed burn scrub or briars come the end of the month and yet it is okay to light crossroads fires for successful GAA teams and newly married couples.

This was a major bone of contention at a meeting of Galway County Council when it was stated that farmers were being unfairly treated in this regard.

The matter was raised by Cllr. Declan Geraghty (Ind) who said that the restrictions being imposed at the end of November would impact on farmers who needed to clear their lands of unwanted growth.

The Williamstown councillor said that the burning of agricultural waste had been a tradition over the years and felt that it should have continued.

According to Cllr Geraghty, farmers collected briars and leaves from their lands and burned them as a means of disposing of this type of vegetation.

“But now they are saying that this is no longer an option which is something I object to.

“Now, the Council are telling farmers employ the services of a shredder for this purpose but many cannot afford to do this.

“Over the years, many farmers burned off scrub and briars from their land and informed the fire services what they were doing both before and after.

“Even the burning of dead leaves and other briars in a barrel has now been outlawed, which is taking things a step too far,” added Cllr Geraghty.

Pictured: Cllr. Declan Geraghty (Ind)