Commonage Framework Planning is a joint initiative between the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Agriculture and Food. Teams combining agricultural and ecological skills to assess the sustainable use of these areas have surveyed all commonage areas in Ireland. To date in excess of 4,400 plans have been prepared, covering more than 440,000 hectares. Where necessary, destocking (removal of some of the stock kept on commonage) is prescribed to ensure recovery of the vegetation. These plans have been implemented through REPS, AEOS and the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme. Commonage framework plans are available for viewing in local Department of Agriculture and NPWS offices and on the link provided.
DAFF and NPWS have agreed to review the implementation and application of commonage framework plans in 2011 and farmers and the farming organisations will be notified of the outcomes from this review.