The landscapes which vary across Fermanagh are largely shaped by farming activity not only over decades but over centuries. Some hill land has barely changed in nature over hundreds of years, mainly because farmers respect what it can contribute to agriculture as well as to the environment.

With many farmers in Fermanagh having signed up to agri - environment schemes in the past, they ensured that the environment as well as mainstream agricultural production worked hand in hand so that our powerful range of native plants continued to flourish and that our wildlife was also protected.

But just when the custodians of Fermanagh farmland thought they had heard the end of overpowering bureacracy with the scrapping of any proposal to introduce a national park here, now comes the threat of further designations such as Areas of Special Scientific Interest and Special Areas of Conservation.

While these are not new to parts of Fermanagh, especially the uplands where there are protected species of plants and habitats for rare birdlife, there does appear to be moves to increase these further.

Fermanagh District Council has become concerned at the designations and are asking for an updated record of all ASSIs in the county. At the last count, there were 92 and some of these are affecting future development of rural businesses.

Farmers say the designations do not have the blanket wide restrictions of National Park status but not too far off.

They say as a result farmers can not move forward and if they ask for permission to make any changes to their land, the process is lengthy and uncertain.

They also challenge whether landowners are consulted at all about the proposed designation which often appears in advertisements in this newspaper.

Landowners say those within ASSIs affected by the SAC proposals, for example, have been notified and informed about the implications as opposed to consulted or engaged. This causes frustration.

Rural businesses must develop continually if they are to exist and a layer of bureacracy such as this must be sensitively handled. Generally landowners appreciate the bio-diversity on their farmland and they have witnessed through generations, how proper management of livestock for example can be very much in keeping with protecting landscapes. Abandonment of land is of no help to anyone.