Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Environment Minister Edwin Poots, today confirmed that shooting certain species of wildfowl will be temporarily suspended because of the severe weather across Northern Ireland. Species such as ducks, geese and shore waders are having difficulty feeding in the current freezing conditions, threatening the birds’ natural survival.

The suspension which will come into force from 8.00 am on Thursday 7 January 2010 under the Wildlife Order, will last for 14 days with a review after seven days.

Countryside Alliance Ireland and The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) have been consulted on the suspension and are supportive of this unprecedented measure.

The Minister said: “The recent spell of freezing weather conditions has been particularly hard on wildfowl throughout the UK and I have decided that a temporary suspension of the shooting season for these species should be introduced immediately.

“It has been encouraging to note the responsible attitude shown by shooting organisations such as BASC and Countryside Alliance Ireland who had asked their membership to exercise a voluntary ban on shooting prior to this decision.”

Notes:

1. The suspension on shooting wildfowl is being made through a Special Protection Order made under Article 4(10) of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.

2. The following species are covered by this Order:

·Curlew

·Duck, Tufted

·Gadwall

·Goldeneye

·Goose, Canada

·Goose, Grey-lag

·Goose, Pink footed

·Mallard

·Pintail

·Plover, Golden

·Pochard

·Scaup

·Teal

·Wigeon