Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

19 November 2004
In this CAI Newsletter.....

1. Hare Hunting Ban N.Ireland - Sign Internet Petition
2. Hunting Bill update England & Wales
3. New book on Hunting in Ireland

1. Hare Hunting Ban N.Ireland - Sign Internet Petition Can you spare 30 seconds - because Northern Ireland's Environment Minister Angela Smith, former employee of the League Against Cruel Sports, has announced her intention to renew a 12 month ban on coursing, beagling and all other forms of hunting and shooting Irish Hares.

This was introduced last year, for one year by the Minister, as a precaution, in response her apparent concerns that populations of Irish Hares occurred at low densities and to give her department time to undertake research to accurately determine Irish Hare numbers.

This research has now been completed and has confirmed that there has been a six-fold increase in Irish Hare numbers in NI over the past two years. This information exposes Angela Smith"s actions as being directed towards stopping field sports rather than the conservation of Irish Hares. The fact that Angela Smith is a former employee of the an extreme animal rights organisation reinforces the perception that she is acting in a biased manner. It is also unacceptable that there has never been any proper consultation on this ban, it has never been subject to a proper rural proofing exercise and this is inconsistent with current government guidelines. Leading scientific experts have publicly disagreed with the Minister"s actions.

If you believe that every person in Northern Ireland is entitled to fair, accountable and unbiased government please support our petition - It will only take 30 seconds!

Click here to sign.

Please forward to as many friends, family, field sports contacts and acquaintances as possible.

2. Hunting Bill update England & Wales

To get the latest news of what is happening in England & Wales regarding the Hunting Bill - please visit www.countryside-alliance.org

3. New book on Hunting in Ireland

A wonderful Christmas gift - This high quality, large format book tells the history of mounted packs in Ireland, through the words and eyes of the hunters themselves.

Lavishly illustrated, with atmospheric photographs of Hunts throughout Ireland, it contains editorial contributions from Hunting Associations, including Countryside Alliance Ireland, carrying their unreserved endorsement.

Over 500 outstanding colour photographs from all over Ireland. Hardback 256 pages. Only £35 (€50), shipping and recorded delivery included to UK & Ireland

For every book sold £15 goes to the Countryside Alliance in Ireland.

Click here to order online through the Countryside Alliance web site shop