Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

We are pleased to be able to inform you of the dates currently scheduled for the Casting for Recovery UK and Ireland retreats in 2012. 

This is a unique outdoor programme specifically designed for women who have, or have had breast cancer.  This innovative programme, which is the first of its kind, uses a unique formula of fly fishing, counselling and education to promote mental and physical healing to woman whose lives have been profoundly affected by breast cancer. 

Casting for Recovery has a reputation for choosing beautiful venues in which the ladies can fully relax and 2012 should prove to be no different.  The venues listed have been confirmed and further retreats may be added. Applications are not yet open; however we will keep you informed as to when applications will be accepted.  

The retreats are as follows; 

27-29 April – Brookhall, Lisburn, Co Antrim

27-29 July – Kimbridge on the Test, Hampshire

3-5 August - Caer Beris & Llyngwyn

8-10 August - Mount Falcon, Ballina, Co Mayo

14-16 September – Kingennie, Broughy Ferry, Angus

The British Deer Society is running a Deer Stalking Certificate Level 1 Training Course in Strabane at the end of February.  The course is based on four days of instruction, which includes all assessments and offers successful students the DSC 1 Certificate. 

The course is delivered by experienced, professional instructors and covers over 20 deer stalking related subjects. The course takes place in Strabane, Northern Ireland, on 18^th/19^th and 25^th/26^th February 2012. 

The cost of the course is £275 and includes all assessment fees, DMQ registration and a comprehensive manual.   For more information, contact The British Deer Society or Damian McElholm at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  For a copy of the application form click here

NI Fisheries Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, is asking fishermen and the angling community to support voluntary measures aimed at restoring stocks of wild Atlantic Salmon in the North. 

Announcing the measures, the Minister said: “The continued commercial exploitation of wild Atlantic salmon and killing of salmon caught by rod and line in the DCAL jurisdiction is currently untenable. 

“Scientific research indicates a significant downturn in abundance of wild Atlantic salmon. We have to take further steps to conserve salmon populations.”

It is very sad that the last few days have been used by those in the media who continually look for opportunities to attack country sports latched on to a photograph of Rachel Allen from Ballymaloe and tried to tarnish the good name of shooting and indeed Ballymaloe itself. 

Rachel is but one of 350,000 people in Ireland who participate in a range of sustainable country sports activities and were doing so on the day in question. Indeed many of our driven shoots provide much welcome revenue for our country and especially the local communities where they are situated.  

Driven shoots also provide many pubs, restaurants and supermarkets with superb wild game that is the pinnacle of healthy eating. Game is wild, natural and free range with a distinctive flavour making it a great alternative to beef, pork, lamb and chicken. And, as its low in cholesterol and high in protein Game is one of the healthiest meats available today. For example, venison, with its brilliant taste and extra lean meat, is perfect for anyone on a low fat diet. 

Lyall Plant, Chief Executive Countryside Alliance Ireland, said; “Those attacking Rachel and indeed Ballymaloe have been using bully boy tactics and if they were in primary school would be immediately expelled for their conduct. These people are in the minority and are completely unaware of the ethics of country sports and the vital part they play in conservation and maintaining our habitats for other birds and animals”. 

The countrysports fraternity completely condemns the actions of these individuals and we wish to lend our full support and that of our membership to Rachel and Ballymaloe House.  

The Dogs Trust is offering free microchipping until the end of March 2012, through local councils and vets. 

Under new legislation in Northern Ireland, from April 2012 all dogs must be microchipped.  To avail of this offer, ask your local veterinary practice if they are participating in the scheme, have a look in the local press for information on free microchipping events in your area, or make an appointment with the Dogs Trust Ballymena centre. 

For more information, contact Dogs Trust on 07714 836095 or 028 2563 2820.

It’s that time of year again when we are seeking to elect new members on to the CAI Board. Are you interested? Would you like to play your part in shaping the organisation’s future work? Any member of CAI (over the age of 18) is entitled to stand, whether you are based in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.   

CAI would encourage any member who feels they can contribute to the work of the organisation to consider standing for election to the Board. Nomination forms for candidates must be returned by midnight on 7^th March 2012 and there are two vacancies to be filled. 

For further information and nomination forms, please telephone: NI: 028 9263 9911 or R of I: 01690 3610, option 5.

The College of Agriculture Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Greenmount Campus in partnership with The Irish Grouse Conservation Trust (IGCT) are holding a consultation evening to determine support for a proposed Gamekeeping and Land Management Course.  The event will take place on Wednesday 18th January 2012 at Greenmount Campus, Co. Antrim.  

All interested parties are invited to the consultation evening. Please click here for more information.

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD, today drew attention to the damage and distress that arise from attacks by marauding dogs on farm livestock, particularly sheep.  

Each year, particularly but not exclusively around lambing time, roaming dogs create a serious menace to sheep. Even the family pet can cause great distress to sheep, including pregnant ewes and lambs and it is essential that dog owners do everything possible to prevent such attacks as uncontrolled dogs can decimate a flock in a very short period of time.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence has signed a Statutory Instrument entitled Firearms (Authorisation of Rifle or Pistol Shooting Ranges) Regulations 2011.  Please note that the signed document will shortly be available from Government Publications Office and will also appear on http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ in the near future. 

The purpose of this regulation is to give effect to measures introduced in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 for the authorisation of rifle and pistol shooting ranges.

NI Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has launched the Department of Environment’s new guidance on Tree Preservation Orders. 

The DOE's new publication provides advice on Tree Preservation Orders, in clear and simple terms for owners, conservation groups and the general public with an interest in protecting trees of amenity value. It explains the requirement to protect trees that make an important contribution to the environment, as the DOE has a specific duty to do so under Article 64 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.