Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Countryside Alliance Ireland welcomed the meeting held today between the NI Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Michelle O’Neill, and the Chief Constable Matt Baggott to discuss the action being taken to address the issue of ongoing attacks on Loughs Agency staff. 

The Rural Development Minister recently met with the Justice Minister, David Ford MLA, to discuss the issue of Loughs Agency staff being intimidated and assaulted while carrying out their duties by preventing poaching in the Foyle and Carlingford Areas.

The Minister also acknowledged the excellent work that the Agency’s staff do in protecting the Foyle and Carlingford fisheries and the significant amount of poaching related equipment that Agency staff have confiscated. These issues were discussed in further detail and she learned about what the PSNI is doing to ensure that these unacceptable attacks do not continue. They agreed to establish improved liaison between the Garda Síochána, Loughs Agency and the PSNI and she welcomed the efforts that the PSNI and the Garda Síochána are making to address the issue of poaching related wildlife crime.

The Minister stated she was very concerned at the increasing levels of crime in rural areas, in particular the theft of farm equipment and livestock rustling across the north.   She said “I recently raised these concerns with Minister Ford and call on the Chief Constable to ensure that effective action is being taken on the ground to prevent this trend continuing."

Lyall Plant, Chief Executive, Countryside Alliance Ireland (and Chairman of the Poaching Sub Group of PAW NI) said; "We are delighted to see that the Minister and the Chief Constable are taking poaching and rural crime very seriously. Fish poaching has been identified by the Partnership Against Wildlife Crime (NI) poaching sub group as the highest priority on its radar.  Indeed, recent statistics from the National Wildlife Crime Unit has shown fish poaching is Northern Ireland's number one wildlife crime.  We welcome any measures taken by the appropriate authorities to alleviate illegal poaching activities and to safeguard the wellbeing of the Loughs Agency staff.” 

We are pleased to be able to inform you of the dates currently scheduled for the Casting for Recovery UK and Ireland retreats in 2012. 

This is a unique outdoor programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had breast cancer.  This innovative programme, which is the first of its kind, uses a unique formula of fly fishing, counselling and education to promote mental and physical healing to woman whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer. 

Casting for Recovery has a reputation for choosing beautiful venues in which the ladies can fully relax and 2012 should prove to be no different.  The venues listed have been confirmed and further retreats may be added. Applications are not yet open; however we will keep you informed as to when applications will be accepted.  

The retreats are as follows; 

27-29 April – Brookhall, Lisburn, Co Antrim

27-29 July – Kimbridge on the Test, Hampshire

3-5 August - Caer Beris & Llyngwyn

8-10 August - Mount Falcon, Ballina, Co Mayo

14-16 September – Kingennie, Broughy Ferry, Angus

The British Deer Society is running a Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 Training Course in Strabane at the end of February.  The course is based on four days of instruction, which includes all assessments and offers successful students the DSC 1 Certificate. 

The course is delivered by experienced, professional instructors and covers over 20 deer stalking related subjects. The course takes place in Strabane, Northern Ireland, on 18^th/19^th and 25^th/26^th February 2012. 

The cost of the course is £275 and includes all assessment fees, DMQ registration and a comprehensive manual.   For more information, contact The British Deer Society or Damian McElholm at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For a copy of the application form click here

NI Fisheries Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, is asking fishermen and the angling community to support voluntary measures aimed at restoring stocks of wild Atlantic Salmon in the North. 

Announcing the measures, the Minister said: “The continued commercial exploitation of wild Atlantic salmon and killing of salmon caught by rod and line in the DCAL jurisdiction is currently untenable. 

“Scientific research indicates a significant downturn in abundance of wild Atlantic salmon. We have to take further steps to conserve salmon populations.”