Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Over the last ten years the Ward Union have conducted over 400 hunts, with many of them under the watchful eyes of Wildlife Rangers and Department Officials.  The Minister has clearly failed to acknowledge the efforts the Ward Union and its followers have taken to ensure public safety is of the utmost importance whilst carrying out their activity.

 The Ward Union have been subject to intensive monitoring by Wildlife Inspectors and Government Officials and their reports categorically show that no animal welfare issues needed to be addressed.  In addition, the Department of Agriculture (whose veterinarians conduct a major study each year) clearly state that the health of the deer was not affected by hunting. 

Lyall Plant, Chief Executive of Countryside Alliance Ireland said "This is clearly an attack on our country pursuits and rural way of life.  The Minister states that this legislation will have no implications for other country sports such as fox-hunting, hare-hunting, hare coursing or deer stalking.  Within this Bill, this is indeed true; however, what other legislation has he sitting in the wings to fulfil their party policy of banning field sports forever?

We urge our members not to take this attack on our country pursuits lying down.  We need you to take immediate action by visiting you local TDs, Senators and Councillors telling them to vote and lobby against this uninformed, biased Bill."

 Countryside Alliance Ireland in partnership with RISE! will fight this legislation and will leave no stone unturned, to ensure that the truth is established showing that the real reason behind this Bill is their Animal Rights Agenda and not Animal Welfare.