IFA calls for flexibility on gorse fire deadline dates Updated / Wednesday, 24 Feb 2021 11:50 A gorse fire in Co Sligo The Irish Farmer's Association has called for the extension to the deadline for the burning of scrubland. The deadline is next Monday, March 1. Legislation means that gorse fires will no longer be considered legal practice under the Wildlife Act, but farmers have requested that burning should also take place in March due to the wet weather in January and February. IFA National Hill Farming Chairman Flor McCarthy said the extension by a month is of vital importance as it will address better vegetative management.