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The Viimsi municipality is considering mowing the Mäealus land protection area in mid-August. However, according to the Environment Agency, ryegrass meadows can only be mowed after the end of August.
“We ask for written explanations and considerations, as well as the legal basis for such a ban. The Viimsi Municipality is aware that ryegrass can produce two litters in the summer and takes this into account in its work. This includes the interests of landowners, harvesters and farmers,” wrote Taavi Rebane, head of the environment department at Viimsi Municipality, in a speech to the environment committee at the end of July.
Ryegrass is an endangered species throughout Europe. Too frequent and early mowing, as well as failure to manage habitat, makes it unsuitable for birds. Abundance has declined in Europe and Estonia due to intensive agriculture.
Between 18 and 22 July, Wimsey Council received feedback from the Environment Committee that grass fields with ryegrass growing on them should not be mowed until the end of August.
The Environment Commission had not previously set such a limit. Mr Rebas said it was against the conservation management plan for the meadows in the landscape reserve.
The municipality stressed in its application that it has several local conservation areas, among which, for example, the heritage meadows are located in the Mäealusa Land Conservation Area. They are maintained according to the instructions in the conservation management plan. Rebane explained that attempts had been made to take into account the meadow maintenance instructions and the occurrence of ryegrass, but it was not clear how both objectives could be achieved.
The municipality is planning to carry out mowing work in the Mäealusa land reserve in mid-August, and the corresponding contract was signed in the spring. If the municipality prohibits mowing in August, they will not be able to comply with the contract agreement. This could result in liquidated damages.
In its application, the council also expressed concerns about the overall impact of ryegrass-related restrictions on the start of mowing. For example, areas receiving state support must be mowed by a certain date. The Agricultural Registration and Information Board’s website states that semi-natural communities must not be mowed before July 10, but must be mowed by August 1.
“It is unclear how the above conditions can be met if ryegrass areas cannot be mowed before the end of August?” Fox asked.
Another issue is that mowing is needed in some areas to manage or retain other species, Valla said. For example, mowing may be important for grasshopper control or for the survival of protected plant species. Also, the value of hay as animal feed decreases the later it is mowed, the worse its quality.
Rebas said these issues could make it economically unjustifiable to maintain grassland areas. This creates a risk that habitat suitable for ryegrass growth will not be maintained, which could hinder its growth in the long term.
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