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We’ll end blood sports: Greens
11 January 2007

The Green Party have pledged to ban blood sports in Ireland if they succeed in getting into government after the next general election.

In their latest policy document, the party promises that, when in government, they will “introduce legislation to end blood sports” and “campaign for heavy penalties for organisers of, and participants in, illegal blood sports”.

The statements appear in an extensive animal welfare section of the policy document and copper fasten the Green Party’s commitment to ridding Ireland of blood sport cruelty.

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports wholeheartedly welcomes this development which represents the greatest hope in years for hunted animals.

ICABS member and Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, says that when his party gets the opportunity, they will ban hare coursing, foxhunting, carted deer hunting and mink hunting and encourage the alternatives of drag hunting and drag coursing.

Not only are they determined to secure a blood sport ban in Ireland but, if voted into the next government, the Greens will also turn their attention to animal abusers across the continent.

“The Party will campaign through the European Parliament for legislation, which will make it an offence to organise or participate in any illegal blood sport in Europe,” their policy document outlines.

Furthermore, sporting activities like greyhound racing and horse racing will also become a focus for the party. “We will closely monitor, through the Animal Welfare Agency, other sports which are based on the use of animals to ensure that no cruelty is taking place,” they say.

Other positive promises made include working to end the mass exportation of greyhounds to Spain “where they have been ill-treated, exploited and killed” and the implementation of alternative methods of animal population management other than killing.

“All living creatures must be treated equally in respect of those aspects in which they are equal,” the Green Party document asserts. “These aspects would include sentiency, the capacity of both human and non-human animals of experiencing pain, suffering and anxiety.”

“Particularly due to their capacity for experiencing fear, anxiety, pain and suffering, animals must not be maltreated or occasioned discomfort,” it adds.

Green Party TDs
Poised to ban blood sport cruelty in Ireland: Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent and Green TDs John Gormley, Eamon Ryan, Paul Nicholas Gogarty, Ciaran Cuffe and Dan Boyle.

Green Party leader praises ICABS campaigners

Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, has expressed his admiration for the active supporters of ICABS whose efforts are helping to secure a safer future for Ireland's animals.

"I commend your courage and dedication and those of the front line people in the Irish Council Against Blood Sports who have kept the hope alive for all of us who want to see the end to cruelty," Mr Sargent stated in a recent letter.

He stressed that his party's commitment to bringing blood sports to an end is as strong as ever.

"The Green Party is completely opposed to violence and cruelty to animals and as we campaign to take enough seats so that we can have a role in the next government we will do everything in our power to end these cruel activities."

ICABS is very grateful for this continued support and we hope that the Green Party secures a strong position in the next government. For more info on the Green Party, visit www.greenparty.ie.

ACTION ALERT

Please vote for TDs who pledge to support legislation banning blood sports in Ireland.

Visit our Political Views page to find out the opinions of various TDs. If your TDs are not listed, contact them today and ask them for their stance on blood sports.

Write to your TD at:
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889.

For the names and contact details of politicians, please visit the Irish Government Website at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/.


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