Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

May 2004

Five of Ireland's most influential country sports organisations have joined forces to urge their supporters to boycott Government candidates in the forthcoming local and European elections.

The call was made at a protest meeting in Tullamore, Co. Offaly to highlight the refusal of the Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to recognise and implement the findings of a 2002 independent scientific review into the Government's current 'no shooting' on State land.

Representatives from The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC), the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), the Federation of Irish Salmon and Sea Trout Anglers (FISSTA), the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland and Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) addressed the four hundred strong crowd. Since 1999 the Government's policy of 'No Shooting' on lands purchased by the State has been examined on two occasions. The most recent report, conducted in 2002 by an Independent Scientific Group comprising three appointees of the Minister for the Environment and three scientific appointees of the NARGC, found that here was no scientific basis for maintaining the shooting ban on State lands.

Following that report, The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Martin Cullen T.D. indicated that he was prepared to allow a return to shooting on State lands on a trial basis, but has since done a 'Uturn' on the matter, thus ignoring the advice of the Scientific Group.

The NARGC's Director Des Crofton, who is leading the campaign, said: "Reasons given by Minister Cullen for maintaining the shooting ban include references to public safety and also that the scientific review was done 'without prejudice' i.e. that the Minister would effectively reserve the right not to accept the findings. This is untrue and files secured under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that this was not the case and also demonstrate attempts to undermine the findings of the scientific report.

"The shooting community is not looking for new shooting territory but only want to retain existing shooting rights which have traditionally been enjoyed. He said: "NARGC members contribute over 6 million euro each year in shooting licence fees to the Exchequer. Yet, as the State has acquired new land over the past 30 years, gun clubs have been evicted without any consultation or discussion while other interest groups have been allowed to pursue their interests virtually without restriction. This is unjust.

Ronan Gorman, Chief Executive of CAI said: "It is our belief that this ridiculous 'No Shooting' policy has nothing to do with conservation. Let's remember, it is the shooting community who are actively engaged in conservation work all around the country. It would go against our beliefs to damage any land, especially if it has conservation value".