Released on: February 28, 2008, 4:08 am

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy Public Relations

Industry: Agriculture

Press Release Summary: County Clare, 28th February 2008 - IFA President Padraig
Walshe will this evening launch a new reference book for farmers providing advice on
nature conservation and the protection of important habitats in the context of
practical farming.

Press Release Body: 'The Living Farmland - A Guide To Farming With Nature In Clare'
includes profiles of nine farmers who have successfully incorporated environmental
management into their farming enterprises. The publication is a joint initiative
between Rural Resource Development (Clare LEADER), Clare IFA, Teagasc and Clare
County Council.

According to Mr. Padraig Walshe, President of the IFA, "The Living Farmland' is in
the first place a celebration of Clare's rural landscapes and farmlands. It is an
informative and beautifully illustrated book that identifies and describes the great
variety of wildlife habitats in Clare, including many which are the product of
farming practices."

"The multi-agency partnership approach to producing the book points the way forward
in how we can work together constructively to maintain a vibrant agriculture that
protects and enhances the environment", he stated.

'The Living Farmland' profiles the main farm habitats found in Clare, including
rock, grassland, peatland, fresh water, coastal, rock, cultivated and built,
woodland and wildlife corridors.

Among the topics covered by the book are hedge laying and native tree planting, the
creation of man-made ponds to facilitate freshwater habitats, the management of
invasive species like mink and the zebra mussel, the introduction of measures aimed
at protecting species such as Lesser Horseshoe Bats and Barn Owls, and the
protection of sites of archaeological and heritage importance.

The book also highlights common environmental issues confronted by farmers,
including greenhouse gases, water quality and agricultural wastes, along with
opportunities in renewable energy technologies.

Commenting on the background to the new publication, Ms. Doirin Graham, CEO, Rural
Resource Development Ltd., explained, "Nowadays, much of the farmer's interaction
with the environment is bound by regulations, directives and a long list of
requirements, focused mainly on what not to do. For that reason, we decided to
produce a publication for farmers in County Clare, which would be informative,
practical, of local interest and above all, be positive about farming with nature."

Ms. Graham said that the book demonstrates there are many ways to give nature a
helping hand, whilst staying true to the county's long tradition of farming.

"As signposts clearly point to a future of farming in greater harmony with nature,
much can be learned from the farmers of Clare. Our hope is that the 'The Living
Farmland' will in some way contribute to the conservation of our beautiful living
landscape and all of the magnificent creatures that dwell there", she concluded.

The farmers profiled in the new book are Shane Casey (Fanore), Christy O'Grady
(Ennis), Andrew Killeen (Doonbeg), John O'Connell (Ballynacally), Brendan Considine
(Kilmurry), Martin Murphy (Kilmihil), Liam Walsh (Tulla), Sean Bugler (Scariff) and
Mark Donnellan (Kilkishen).

'The Living Farmland - A Guide To Farming With Nature In Clare' is available at
selected bookshops, as well as the Clare County Council Corporate Headquarters and
local area offices, Rural Resource Development Offices in Shannon and Teagasc
offices throughout Clare.

For further information please contact Rural Resource Development at 061-361144 or
see www.rrd.ie.

-ENDS-

Notes To Editor:
- Contributors to 'The Living Farmland' and Doirin Graham, CEO, Rural Resource
Development are available for interview. To arrange please contact Mark Dunphy of
Dunphy Public Relations at 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images from the book are available on request

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Connolly
Ennis
Clare
IRELAND
media@dunphypr.com
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)