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Countryside Alliance Ireland E-Route 30 June 2010
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In this email: Sold out by Fianna Fail Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill – NI Update Coursing Ban Condemns the Irish Hare
About Us
Sold out by Fianna Fail Last night's vote in the Dail to ban the Ward Union has clearly demonstrated that the tail is wagging the dog. We never believed that Fianna Fail would turn on its core supporters and our rural communities and assist the Green Party in delivering one of their policy objectives. The price Fianna Fail will pay for including this Bill in the programme of government will become clear during the next general election. Many of those rural TD's who attended the RISE information nights to show support for the Rural Way of Life voted to ban the Ward Union Hunt against the wishes of their constituents. They will never be trusted again. I urge you to contact your FF TD immediatley and express deep regret with their decision to ban the Ward Union Stag Hunt. They may have won this skirmish but the war is not over. As a matter of fact the battle is just begining. Apositive to come out of this campaign is that there is strength in numbers and by standing together, united, we can overcome such tactics and opposition to what we hold dear. We Love the Countryside and without us conservation would be a word in the dictionary. We must not rest on our laurels as many challenges will come down the line. We have one opportunity left with the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill to defeat John Gormley's threat to rural Ireland and this could be the Fianna Fail TDs finest hour by defeating this bill. I would like to express our thanks to all those who have contributed to RISE and assisted the campaign throughout. To our members thank you for your support and I look forward to meeting you all at the Ballinlough and Birr fairs. Lyall Plant Executive Alliance Ireland
Chief Countryside
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill – NI Update The Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill was debated at great length in Stormont recently and although we did not gain all of the results we would have hoped for, we can be pleased with the overall outcome of proceedings. The issue of snaring was debated at great length with the Minister moving to regulate snaring as in Scotland. The debate ebbed and flowed across the floor and the lobbying resulted in a positive attitude that snaring is a vital tool for land managers to protect their animals and property. The Curlew was given full protection because of their decreasing numbers over the last ten years. Even though only 45 are shot each year they felt that in order for numbers to recover they should be given full protection. This was supported by the majority of MLAs present. Amotion was placed by the Environment Committee to give the Golden Plover full protection. Along debate emphasised that no scientific evidence was available and that there was no threat to Golden Plover numbers due to shooting, resulting in the Golden Plover remaining on the Game Schedule. The motion laid down by the Alliance/Green Party to fully protect the Irish Hare was not moved as it was clearly evident that they would lose the vote as both Sinn Fein and the Minister (with support from the MLA's) clearly spoke not to give it full protection. The motion to ban coursing was placed by two UUP MLAs; Tom Elliott and Roy Beggs Jnr. The outcome of the vote was Ayes’ 23, Nos’ 18. Many speakers for the ban were looking back to the 1980's and kept on referring to cruelty and hares torn apart and not modern day coursing as it is regulated today by the Irish Coursing Club. Amajor factor in many DUP circles was the fact that this was an activity surrounding gambling. Those not supporting a ban spoke of tradition and highlighted scientific evidence (which has been peer reviewed) that coursing and the hare husbandry programme in place in the Republic of Ireland clearly demonstrates the importance of coursing to
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maintain or increase Irish hare numbers. The amendments laid down by two DUP MLA's Jim Wells and Peter Weir (on behalf of the RSPB) to give the Department powers to restrict or prohibit shooting in or adjoining ASSI's, caused major concern. However, Dr. James Robinson of the RSPB later stated “the RSPB has not, and is not, calling for a ban on shooting on all ASSIs. Not only is that impracticable, it is unnecessary, and in fact would be counterproductive to the management of manyASSIs”. The amendments were withdrawn in consultation with the Chairman of the Environment Committee to allow full scrutiny to take place and also to consult with CAI and BASC on their impact to shooting. It was also highlighted and agreed that there is a procedural issue here and the Assembly will have to look at the way they carry out their business and that placing last minute amendments does not allow full consultation and scrutiny but can be seen as a ploy to bring changes in by the back door.
Coursing Ban Condemns the Irish Hare UUP MLAs Tom Elliott and Roy Beggs Jnr have condemned the Irish Hare to a life of poaching by tabling a last minute amendment to the Environment and Wildlife Bill that sought to ban hare coursing in Northern Ireland. The passing of this amendment completely disregards the environmental impact such a ban will have on the hare population in Northern Ireland. It also overlooks the findings of the DEFRAreport Wildlife Crime in the UK 2009/2010 which states that 36% of all poaching is hare poaching and considers it “the most prolific wildlife crime issue”; noting a significant reduction in hare populations. Aletter received from UUP MLAJohn McAllister states the UUP’s position ‘While we recognize the invaluable work the local Hare Coursing clubs do in terms of conservation, we no longer feel the sport fits in with general opinion of modern society. There is a strong majority in Northern Ireland who wish to see hare coursing outlawed and this legislation will simply bring us in line with the rest of the UK’. Lyall Plant, Countryside Alliance Ireland’s Chief Executive said “It is clear that the tactical method employed in lodging this amendment provides a clear indication that the sponsors wished to circumvent a comprehensive discussion on all aspects of coursing by the Environment Committee, MLAs and interested parties. The Environment Committee met with me and the Irish Coursing Club previously with regard to the Irish Hare. At no point was the appropriateness of coursing ever raised or discussed; the focus was on the conservation status of the Irish Hare and the positive part played by coursing clubs in this regard The passing of this amendment has clearly demonstrated that this is an all out attack on our heritage and our rural way of life”. This is the thin end of the wedge and it is clear that this was a decision based on prejudice and is one that will not benefit Irish Hare conservation.