Emerald Newsletter January 2013 by Lyall Plant

Emerald Newsletter January 2013 Volume 13, Issue 1

Riley is owned by Susan and Robert Klein. Picture by Susan Klein of Dewinton, Alberta, Canada

Defending the future of country sports in Ireland

A Message from Lyall Plant Welcome to the latest edition of the Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) Emerald Newsletter. We are now well and truly in the midst of winter and I hope you are all enjoying a successful sporting season. Much has happened during the past year and we were afforded challenges and rewards in equal measure. I have no doubt that 2013 will once again keep us busy but we can be justly proud of the work that we did during 2012 as we continue to have the freedom to enjoy our country pursuits. There are however, still those in government who try their best to thwart our activities and that is why we maintain our political lobbying and campaigning; doing our best to ensure politicians make informed decisions based on facts not fallacy. We continue to liaise directly with the politicians and political representatives to further develop the relationships we have built over the years. There were many pieces of subordinate legislation to consider in the NI Assembly which directly affected our members and in particular in respect of tail docking for working dogs and exemptions in dog breeding establishments regulations. We were pleased that after a long and hard fought campaign, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Michelle O’Neill, confirmed there will be exemptions from the tail docking ban, for certain types of working dog when the final provision within the Welfare of Animals Act 2011 is enacted on 1 January 2013. In addition, the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development met in December to discuss and finalise the Dog Breeding Establishment Regulations. CAI has been working with the Department since the start of the legislative process and the recommendations we had made were approved by the Department and put forward to the Committee. The new regulations include an exemption for hunt clubs that do not sell dogs or pups, and some leniency for those who breed as a hobby. In addition, amendments have been made which will allow a bitch to breed over eight years of age, provided she is in good health. Firearms Licensing (both North and South of the border) gave us plenty to talk about. In NI, CAI responded to the consultation on the proposals relating to changes to firearms licensing. We continue to work closely with the Department of Justice, BASC and the Gun Trade Guild NI in respect of this. In the R of I, CAI continues to work closely with the NASRPC

(National Association of Sporting Rifle and Pistol Clubs), Firearms Policy Unit of An Garda Síochána and the Crime Division of the Department of Justice to find an amicable solution to the ongoing problems with renewals of centre fire pistols for target shooting. The debate over lead shot is still very much to the fore and in R of I we corresponded with Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD (Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) urging him to take action, for R of I to comply with the EU guidelines on banning lead shot on wetlands. CAI has stressed the potentially detrimental consequences (ie a complete ban) for all responsible sporting shooters if action is not taken. CAI has comprehensive experience on dealing with this issue as we worked very closely with the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland (DOE) to develop legislation to implement the guidelines which came into effect in Northern Ireland on 1 September 2009. The legislation in NI deems the use of lead shot as site specific and CAI would be keen to see this approach adopted in the R of I; in effect an All-Ireland policy which would ensure consistency throughout the island of Ireland and reduce the potential for ambiguity. The NI Marine Bill has also kept us occupied as there were many issues of concern however we continue to engage fully to represent the views of our members. On a positive note, we have been able to keep many membership subscription categories at the same rates. However, over the past two years we have experienced a significant increase in claims relating to equine and hunting activities therefore the rates for these categories will increase in 2013. Further details will be available in the New Year. We had an action packed summer schedule with our attendance at the game and country fairs and already, our itinerary is filling up for 2013. Our first event of the year will be at the Clonmel Coursing Festival in February and we shall keep you updated about all the events we are attending throughout the year via our email newsletters and on our website. The events give us the ideal opportunity to meet with our members (and potential members) at first hand. However, please remember, we are always at the end of the phone to assist in any way that we can. It has been my privilege to continue to serve you and as we welcome 2013, may I, on behalf of Countryside Alliance Ireland, thank you all for your support throughout the past year. It is important for us all to remember that we must show a united front, where like minded organisations speak publicly in support of, not against one another and may we assure you that CAI will do everything in our power to continue to fight those that oppose our rural way of life. It just remains for me to wish Happy New Year to you all. Yours in Sport Lyall Plant, Chief Executive

News in Brief Irish Field Trial Council Formed

We are happy to confirm this requirement is only required for those who wish to sell wild deer to a Game Handling Establishment (Game Dealer) from January 2013. Furthermore, the qualification does not allow deer-stalkers to sell or process wild deer for profit, other than process for their own personal use; as is the case for all deer-stalkers regardless of having the course completed or not.

Visitor’s Firearm Permit (Northern Ireland) Change of Documentation Requirement for Applicants

An Irish Field Trial Council has been formed to represent all those involved in field trials in Ireland. In recent years there has been growing concern amongst people involved in holding field trials regarding costs, conditions and rules and The Irish Field Trial Council was formed to improve channels of communication between organisations, such as the Irish Kennel Club (IKC), and field trial clubs. The President of the IKC, Sean Delmar, actively partook in the meetings prior to formalisation of the Council, and suggested some constructive improvements which were taken on board. Mr Delmar also commented that he had great expectations for this Council, and was looking forward to working with the members in resolving many of the current issues. The Council consists of elected delegates from the various sections of field trials, and they have already held two wellattended and productive meetings. The Council believes this is a very constructive move and a forum for all those involved in field trials which will allow (amongst other things) them to have their genuine grievances listened to and acted upon in a fair manner.

New requirements for Game Dealers in the R of I The Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have advised us of changes, regarding the export of wild venison. These new measures provide increased traceability, making it more difficult to sell illegally taken venison for unregistered Game Dealers along with tighter controls for registered Game Dealers. We have received a number of enquiries regarding the “Trained Person/Hunter” course requirement referred to in the DAFF notice, where members had been informed by others that this is a requirement for all Deer-Stalkers.

An amendment to ‘The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (Amendment) Regulations 2012’ came into effect on 29 November 2012. Previously, applicants had to submit their original European Firearms Pass when applying for a Visitor’s Firearm Permit*. However, as of 29 November, applicants may submit a copy instead. This news is warmly welcomed by Countryside Alliance Ireland. For more information visit caireland.org * NB - CAI are happy to act as sponsors for members.

Advertisement of Forest Service Shooting Letting in Northern Ireland We have been informed that Forest Service areas for letting will be advertised in Belfast Telegraph, The Irish News and The News Letter weeks commencing 14th and 21st January 2013. Information can also be found on the Forest Service website from January 2013 at www.dardni.gov.uk/forestservice

NI - Docking of Working Dogs’ Tails The Welfare of Animals (Docking of Working Dogs’ Tails and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 were laid before the Assembly and will come into operation on the 1st January 2013. Members are advised that if they are breeding a litter of pups who will be working dogs in the future to read the Regulations and make them fully aware what is required to complete the Exemption Certificate. Completion of the exemption certificate should not be left to the last minute so you should plan at least four weeks ahead. Therefore, be prepared and complete your form and know which vet you will be visiting. To download or read the regulations visit our website at caireland.org

Clonmel National Coursing Festival account the current economic climate and their concerns in trying to obtain time off work mid week to attend major events such as the National Coursing Festival.

Europe, the USA, Australia and the Middle East, not to mention our many UK supporters who will make their annual pilgrimage for this prestigious event.

With these concerns in mind the executive committee overwhelmingly decided to run the next National Meeting over the weekend.

Many owners and trainers run their greyhounds in Trial Stakes the length and breadth of the country in an attempt to qualify them for the National Coursing Meeting and the dream of every coursing enthusiast is to see their greyhound running at Clonmel.

We believe that this will allow more overseas visitors, coursing enthusiasts and supporters to come and become involved is this special and unique three day occasion in Ireland’s sporting calendar. Pictured Above: DJ Histon CEO ICC

As Chief Executive of The Irish Coursing Club I would like to take this opportunity to invite you all to the National Coursing Festival that will take place at Powerstown Park, Clonmel, County Tipperary on Saturday, Sunday and Monday 2, 3 & 4 February 2013. As an organisation we have listened to our members and supporters taking into

At a time when coursing is under attack from those who oppose our rural way of life there never has been a more appropriate time to show your unequivocal support for coursing than attending the three day spectacular at Powerstown Park Clonmel on the 2,3 & 4 February 2013. We also look forward to meeting our world wide supporters who are expected to travel from other parts of

Countryside Alliance Ireland will once again be attending and those who wish to renew their supporter membership can do so over the three days. We are very grateful for the help and assistance we recieve from Countryside Alliance Ireland and would encourage all supporters who are not members to join them at the Festival. For further information regarding the National Coursing Festival contact the Sporting Press by email @ sportingpress.ie or by calling +353 (0) 52 618 8510. We look forward to seeing you there. (D J Histon)

Factors Force the Closure of Open Seasons In recent years there has been growing concerns from our members who manage deer in Co. Kerry that red deer numbers are now at dangerously low levels throughout the county due to poaching and illegal trophy hunting. These concerns were mirrored by additional stakeholders who work with deer in Co. Kerry. Following representations to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., by the Wild Deer Association of Ireland, we can confirm that female red deer in Co. Kerry have been removed from the Open Seasons Order for 2012/13. This means that the hunting of both male and female Kerry red deer is now prohibited. The removal of red deer from the Open Seasons Order will not alone protect their future as those who engage in such criminal activities as poaching and illegal trophy hunting do not adhere to Open Season Orders or our wildlife laws. Until such time as meaningful data on current red deer numbers in Co. Kerry is available and an appropriate management plan is put in place to combat poaching and illegal trophy hunting, can we ensure the survival of these unique deer and maintain a balance between deer and local land uses. Whilst we welcome the Minister’s announcement, we are

concerned by his lack of acknowledgement of the factors that have caused their “significant decline”, and furthermore, what actions are required to ensure their future survival. In addition, the Minister announced that the curlew has been removed from the Open Season for hunting wild game birds. The curlew has traditionally had a one month hunting season (November) each year but hunting curlew is now being stopped. Countryside Alliance Ireland had recently called for voluntary restraint from the shooting of curlew in this hunting season. We have been working with the Irish Red Grouse Association in conducting a survey of curlew numbers, mainly in the counties of Cavan, Leitrim and Monaghan, to establish the resident population in these areas. Lyall Plant commented, “As a responsible organisation, with our activities based on conservation and sustainability, we believe a sound conservation plan for Ireland’s curlew is vital. We also believe that responsible hunters are the backbone of conservation and therefore should be consulted on and included in any conservation plan. Objectives of a conservation plan, including a timeframe, should be developed and implemented with the help and support of Ireland’s hunters.”

Six Mile Trust Kick The River! Everyone enjoyed the day’s training and both anglers and non anglers gained some very detailed knowledge on the life cycle of the river fly. If you would like more information on the work of the Six Mile Water Trust email the Secretary - milewater@yahoo.co.uk (J Gregg)

CAI Board Elections Are you interested in becoming a member of the Countryside Alliance Ireland Board? Would you like to play your part in shaping the organisation’s future work? With the ongoing development of the Six Mile Water Trust (Trust) and the support of Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), funding has been provided to allow “river quality monitoring” to be instigated. Louis Kitchen of “The River Fly Partnership” (www.riverflies. org) provided the information and requirements for a training day for twelve volunteers last spring at Clotworthy House, Antrim, with Jim Gregg of the Trust arranging the test equipment, classroom facilities and river field. As it is the Trust’s intention to sample several sites on the Six Mile catchments each month (including tributaries such as the Claddy and Ballymartin), it is hoped that an accurate picture can develop and allow detailed investigation to take place on areas that are below acceptable quality using the invertebrate score as the indicator.

Any member of CAI is entitled to stand, whether you are based in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. CAI would encourage any member who feels they can contribute to the work of the organisation to consider standing for election to the Board. Nomination forms for candidates must be returned by midnight on 7th March 2013 and there is one vacancy to be filled. For further information and nomination forms, please telephone: NI: 028 9263 9911 or R of I: 01690 3610, option 5 or email ashley@caireland.org

Snapshots of 2012 CAI attended many events throughout 2012 - here are just a few reminders! Clockwise - David & Jenny at Clonmel Coursing Festival; Keith Matthews, dog guru, presenting prizes along with Ashley & David to the best young handlers at Ballywalter; Jenny presenting the best hunting dog prize to Mick Walsh at Borris; Frankie Martin with CAI NI President, Bert Carlisle at Shanes Castle; Lyall Plant with NI’s First Minister, the Rt. Hon. Peter Robinson MLA at the DUP Party Conference.

IRGA & CAI Conservation Awards 2012

Countryside Alliance Ireland hosted a very enjoyable function at the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise on Wednesday, 14th November, 2012 to present the inaugural Annual CAI Conservation Project of the Year Awards. This Award was announced at the IRGA Conference in Moate, Co. Westmeath in November of last year by Marian Harkin, MEP and consists of a perpetual trophy plus a cheque for €500 for the winning project. Atkinson Brothers, suppliers of vermin control equipment throughout the country, sportingly stepped in to present equipment to the value of €250 for the second placed award and Irish Red Grouse Association presented the third placed project with a cheque for €100. Opening the proceedings, Chairman, Vincent Flannelly, welcomed the large gathering to an historic night. He congratulated this year’s award winners, but added that the real winners were Irish red grouse. He thanked CAI for their great support and encouragement, Atkinson Brothers and particularly Pat Warner and National Parks & Wildlife (NPWS) for their support, advice and great cooperation. Tom Dunne, Hon Secretary, spoke of the various projects throughout the country. There are now 31 groups working to restore grouse to our moorland with three more in the pipeline. A common thread was that each Group had the same problems of predator control and heather management. Since its inception just two years ago in the very same room, the success of the Irish Red Grouse Association has been truly amazing. Pat Warner of NPWS was thankful for the invitation to be

present. NPWS were happy to support this work and hoped that this would be continued in the future. He referred to the Minister’s recent visit to a grouse moor to see the increase in wild red grouse and his enthusiastic support would, hopefully, mean a continuation of funding. One of the NPWS gamekeepers had assisted the Clifden Red Grouse Conservation Group with their Project. There will be four additional gamekeepers employed next year throughout the country who will be able to assist local groups. NPWS had recently imported one tonne of grit from Scotland which would be available for distribution. Pat also spoke of the IRGA as being a fantastic Association and was happy to work wholeheartedly with them. Jim Fitzharris, Hon. Treasurer, complimented each project and especially the many local unsung heroes who worked quietly in the shade. He welcomed the additional gamekeepers and complimented the Chairman and IRGA on their achievements in such a short time. CAI have been most generous in their support and he also thanked Atkinson Brothers and hoped that all the work being done should gain proper media attention. Douglas Butler said that what has made IRGA so successful is that it is not concerned with politics but that everyone is prepared to work collectively and without expense towards grouse restoration. He did not believe that grouse numbers are as low as reported, but a lot of work will still be needed to restore the red grouse to its former glory. As an adjudicator, Douglas felt that great credit is due to all the projects, not just award winners. He welcomed the help of NPWS & Coillte and other groups for their endeavours and hoped for continued co-operation as we are all working

IRGA & CAI Conservation Awards 2012 contd towards the same goals. Vincent Flannelly referred to ABGN Gun Club in South Tipperary. Although part of the IRGA, they had been in operation for some years prior to our inception and did not enter the CAI Conservation Awards competition as they would have had a huge advantage. He warmly complimented Douglas and ABGN Gun Club for their great sportsmanship. Walter Phelan, on behalf of CAI, wanted to endorse everything good that had been said about IRGA. He said, since he joined the Committee as Research Officer, his life had become a lot richer. Even after each meeting had ended, he was still excited about the great work being done. Everyone had their own reasons for wanting to restore grouse and it was interesting to see how people interacted towards this aim. The Irish Red Setter and the Irish Red & White setter evolved to hunt grouse on the hills and he mentioned that the Irish-made Rigby Best single shotgun had been developed as a light gun for the pursuit of grouse in Ireland. Despite some people having family problems, they all work together in great harmony and Walter warmly thanked the Association for making his life richer.

Mark Atkinson, in presenting Seamus O Neill of Keadeen Red Grouse Project with a voucher of €250 worth of predator management systems said that he enjoyed working with likeminded people who did not seek financial gain. IRGA has grown way beyond his original vision and he paid special tribute to Nessa O’Donoghue for her great work behind the scenes.

Pat Warner and Walter Phelan presented John O’Halloran with the Perpetual Trophy and cheque for the winning project – Clifden Red Grouse Conservation Group.

In reply, John spoke of a love of wild places that he had first tasted in his day in the Boy Scouts. As he had wandered around one of the country’s game fairs some eighteen months ago, he had been given some literature on Red Grouse by Nessa O’Donoghue in the CAI marquee and had decided then and there to start a project. With the great help of Clifden Gun Club members, they had started work on vermin management, but the greatest support came from the stake holders – the two Walsh families who owned the ground. These far-sighted people had refused substantial offers for the sale of the lands for forestry and had minded the moors for many years with properly managed grazing. This trophy would go for a year, not to his house, but to these families. He was proud to accept the award, but only as a loan for the next generation.

Jim Fitzharris presented Peterswell/Kilchreest Gun Club with a cheque of €100. In accepting, John Leech spoke of their work on the grounds and how grateful they were for the support of IRGA and NPWS and the local Game Ranger in particular. They were always delighted to host field trials as the grouse numbers, now expanding well, were for the enjoyment of everyone. Jim Fitzharris then made a presentation to the IRGA. Since his youth he had loved to walk the mountains after grouse and to see good dogs working. In appreciation of all the enjoyment he had received from the sport, he presented IRGA with a brace of grouse, glass encased, to be used by IRGA in their many Road Shows. The Chairman, Mr Vincent Flannelly, closed the ceremony by thanking everyone for their unfaultering support and wished them a peaceful festive season.

Dublin Red Kites, Wildlife & Rodenticides effectively as well as preventing unnecessary damage to our local wildlife”. Dr Ruddock continued “With advice from RSPB in Scotland and the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Usage (CRRU) we have drafted a leaflet offering best practice advice and urge everyone to think about wildlife (and particularly the red kites) before using rodenticides”.

The successful Dublin red kite project launched in 2011, with support from National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, The Welsh Kite Trust, Fingal LEADER Partnership, Fingal County Council and a suite of volunteers from the Golden Eagle Trust reports that there were three pairs of young kites established in the summer of 2012 in North County Dublin. However, none of these kites successfully nested.

The public, landowners and professional pest controllers are urged to firstly prevent rat infestations by cleaning up or barricading areas which attract rats and secondly to utilise other legal forms of control, such as trapping or shooting, before using rodenticides. If rodenticides are being used it is fundamentally important for everybody to closely follow the instructions on the label and not risk exposure of these toxins to our native wildlife. Best practice rodent eradication strategies record information such as the quantity and location of all baits and require the baits to be regularly inspected. These should not be left in the open or exposed to non-target animals and birds. Dead rodents should be collected and disposed of safely and baits should be removed at the end of the treatment.

The kites are still too young to breed, but showed signs of pairing up this year and hopefully 2013 will see successful breeding in Dublin. The Golden Eagle Trust would like to express their considerable thanks to all the landowners and the public for the phenomenal support shown for the reintroduction project in Fingal and is asking everybody to be mindful of wildlife when using rodenticides at this time of year.

The Fingal red kites are typically located in the areas surrounding Lusk, Rush, Donabate, Swords, Balbriggan, Skerries, Rogerstown, Ashbourne, Malahide, Ratoath, Ballyboghil, Oldtown, Dunboyne and Portrane. The public in these areas are therefore urged to be particularly careful with rodenticides and also report sightings of the red kites to the project website at goldeneagle.ie or to the local NPWS ranger.

Following the deaths of nine (9) red kites between November 2011 and January 2012 in Fingal, Co. Dublin all rodenticide users are being urged to consider the local wildlife population and help protect the red kites this autumn and winter.

New Insurance Summaries

Rat populations need to be controlled in a variety of situations in both urban and rural areas, particularly around farm buildings, landfills and other sites where an artificial food source is available. The most commonly used method is the laying of baits containing poisons, known as rodenticides. However, these products are also toxic to other wildlife, domestic livestock and pets. Six of the dead kites were confirmed at post-mortem analysis to contain the rodenticide, brodifacoum. This is a second generation anti-coagulant (SGAR) rat poison, which causes internal bleeding. It is widely recognised that rodenticides can kill non-target species. At this time of year rats may begin to move, as fields are cut for silage and crops are harvested. These areas therefore often attract natural rat predatory and scavenging raptors including barn owls, long-eared owls, kestrels, buzzards and red kites. Dr Marc Ruddock, project manager for the Golden Eagle Trust said “There is no doubt in my mind that these poisoning cases are just tragic accidents but by making informed choices about pest control, we will be able to reduce rat numbers

We wish to inform our members that as the year comes to an end it is a requirement for us to let you know that the Insurance Summary Documents and associated Master Policies for 2013 will be published on our website as soon as possible. We recommend that you

check our website at www. caireland.org follow the link for membership then membership insurance to view and download the updated documents. Printed versions will be available from our offices early in January 2013.

Curlew Count Result We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in our curlew count over the Spring/Summer period. The aim of the count was to establish a guideline as to how many resident

curlew are in Ireland. Initial reports recieved has shown that there were over 2,750 curlew sighted. Bird Watch Ireland states that we have only 200 breeding pairs.