Labour TD questions minister about coursing in new legislation 19 December 2008 The Labour Party's spokesperson on Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Mary Upton, has questioned the Agriculture Minister about the stance the new Animal Welfare bill will take in relation to the blood sport of hare coursing. Minister Brendan Smith declined to clarify whether the bill would bring coursing to an end, saying that "it would not be appropriate to comment on specific issues to be included in the Bill until the consultation process is completed." Deputy Upton's question and the answer received from Minister Smith can be read below. Please also scroll down for our urgent action alerts. Mary Upton, TD: Questioned Agriculture Minister about the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill's stance on coursing. Parliamentary Questions and Answers Question 426 - Answered on 16th December, 2008 Mary Upton: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the Animal Welfare Bill; when this Bill will be published; the stance this Bill will take on hare coursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Written reply. Ref No: 45985/08 The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: (Brendan Smith): A good deal of work has been undertaken on drafting the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill which gives effect to a number of animal health and welfare commitments contained in the Programme for Government. My officials are currently meeting with organisations that made submissions on the draft Bill following the public consultation process initiated by me earlier in the year. It would not be appropriate to comment on specific issues to be included in the Bill until the consultation process is completed. I would however state that the Bill is intended to update existing legislation to ensure that the welfare of all animals is properly protected and that penalties for offenders are increased significantly. If the new Animal Welfare Bill is to be in any way credible as a piece of modern legislation, it must outlaw the use of live animals as bait for dogs. URGENT ACTION ALERTS 1. Urge Minister Brendan Smith to ensure that coursing and all blood sports are banned under the new legislation and that those convicted of such cruelty receive heavy fines. Minister Brendan Smith Department of Agriculture Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510. Fax: 01-661 1013. One-click Action Alert: Urge Minister Smith to ban coursing under the new animal welfare legislation. SAMPLE LETTER (If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.) TO: Agriculture Minister, Brendan Smith, TD FROM: [*** Insert Your Name and Location Here ***] Dear Minister Smith, I am writing to register my opposition to hare coursing and all blood sports in Ireland. I fully support the Irish Council Against Blood Sports call for the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill to outlaw these cruel activities. If this new bill is to be credible as a modern piece of animal welfare legislation, it must outlaw coursing, foxhunting, hare hunting and all forms of hunting with packs of hounds as well as such obscenities as digging out and terrierwork. Thank you, Minister. I look forward to your response. 2. Join our appeal to Minister John Gormley to withdraw the coursing licence he issued to earlier this year. Minister John Gormley Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Custom House, Dublin 1. Email: minister@environ.ie Tel: 01 888 2403. Fax: 01 878 8640. One-click Action Alert: Urge Minister Gormley to stop licensing hare coursing SAMPLE LETTER (If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.) TO: Environment Minister, John Gormley FROM: [*** Insert Your Name and Location Here ***] Dear Minister Gormley, I am sickened to learn that the licence you issued to the Irish Coursing Club has already left at least 22 hares dead. I fully support the Irish Council Against Blood Sports appeal to you to immediately stop the suffering by withdrawing this licence. This decent and compassionate move would be welcomed by the majority of Irish people who want this appalling blood sport outlawed. It would also be in line with your party's anti-blood sports stance and your pre-election promise to end blood sports when in government. Thank you. I look forward to your response. Video: Coursing cruelty Videos: Drag Coursing - The Humane Alternative More information about hare coursing Coursing: Leaflet | Photos | Videos | Petition Make a donation to ICABS Please consider making a small donation to ICABS. For more details, please click on the button below or follow this link to find out how to become a campaign supporter. Thank you. News Menu | Join | Top | Home