Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) met recently with the Animal Welfare Branch of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to discuss plans for new animal welfare laws in Northern Ireland. The meeting was arranged following a recent DARD public consultation on the matter to take into account the concerns of country sports supporters who are represented by CAI.

Among the matters discussed were the effects that any new animal welfare rules might have on angling, plans to introduce or to enhance the licensing of establishments where dogs are kept, bred or trained and new proposals to license the welfare aspects of greyhound racing.

DARD is also considering whether a ban on the docking of dog’s tails to prevent damage during work in the field is appropriate.

Ronan Gorman Chief Executive Countryside Alliance Ireland commented, “Countryside Alliance Ireland warmly welcomes all measures aimed at genuinely improving the welfare of animals and our meeting with DARD was aimed at helping them draft effective legislation in this regard.

“However, the consultation did consider a number of proposals which, if implemented would have a detrimental impact on a number of responsible country sports practices without, in our opinion making any significant contribution to animal welfare. For example, working dog’s tails are docked in order to prevent injury during hunting, and the procedure is a long-established aspect of kennel management and any prohibition of such a practice would seriously compromise the welfare of working dogs.”

“CAI also supports measures to ban puppy farming but again we emphasised to DARD that these new rules must not interfere with legitimate country sports activities where dogs are kept, bred or trained by responsible and knowledgeable persons.”

Mr Gorman concluded, “Countryside Alliance Ireland will continue to play a constructive and informed role in the development of legislation that ensures the welfare of animals and enjoys the support of people who keep, work with and look after animals.”

Countryside Alliance Ireland has  liaised closely with the  Hunting Association of Northern Ireland and the Irish Coursing Club in responding to the DARD consultation on Animal Welfare