When Ireland joined the EU in 1973, farmers took advantage of measures introduced as part of the Common Agricultural Policy to boost their incomes. z z
Headage Payments Scheme – farmers received payments based on the number of animals they had in stock.
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Intervention – farmers were guaranteed a minimum price for certain farm produce, such as meat, sold on the open market.
Impact
These measures saw the number of sheep grow rapidly in peripheral mountainous areas (Fig. 7.11). In West of Ireland areas, such as the Connemara uplands (Co. Galway) and the Mweelrea Mountains (Co. Mayo), sheep numbers greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of the land. The soil structure of the land was damaged by: zz
overgrazing, which removed much of the grass and heather binding the soil together (Fig. 7.12). As the soil became loose, it became unstable, making it easier to transport downslope under the influence of gravity;
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the repeated trampling of the soil by large numbers of sheep led to the soil being compacted and this led to faster runoff of surface water.
Approximately 30% of upland areas suffered serious soil erosion. This led to numerous localised landslides that damaged property, polluted rivers and lakes and blocked roads.
Nephin Beg Mts
Ballina
Croagh Patrick Mweelrea Mts
Westport Castlebar
Swinford
Sheep numbers in Ireland grew from 3.3 million in 1980 to 8.8 million in 1991. Stock rates were five times higher than the UK.
Tuam
Twelve Bens Maumturk Mts
Galway Loughrea Gort
Slieve Aughty Mts
Fig. 7.11 Mountain ranges of the West of Ireland. The Connemara uplands includes the Twelve Bens and Maumturk mountains.
Ballinasloe
Fig. 7.12 Overgrazing by sheep has led to soil erosion in the West of Ireland.
