Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

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.

A motion was placed by the Environment Committee to give the Golden Plover full protection. A long 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. A major 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 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 counter-productive to the management of many ASSIs".

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.