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Northern Ireland coursing ban still on track
12 October 2010
Northern Ireland's Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew, has confirmed that she will not be taking any steps to try and block a coursing ban in that jurisdiction. Her statement contradicts an earlier claim by Kerry North Sinn Fein TD, Martin Ferris, that his party would be attempting to overturn the decision to ban coursing through a bill being drafted by Ms Gildernew's Department.
Responding to a question tabled by the DUP's Jim Wells, Minister Gildernew (Sinn Fein, Fermanagh/South Tyrone) stated: "Responsibility for hunting or coursing with dogs does not rest with my Department and as such I have no powers to regulate or ban hunting or coursing. I will not therefore be taking any action that could negate the provisions on a ban on hare coursing as contained in the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill."
In June this year the Northern Ireland Assembly voted to make hare coursing illegal under the new Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill. Martin Ferris later claimed that his party would try to block this.
In a statement, the League Against Cruel Sports commented: "It was unclear how Mr Ferris proposed to overturn this through a different Bill being drafted by a different department but Minister for Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew has now confirmed this is not the case."
"The Assembly’s historic decision to ban hare coursing was a huge step forward in eradicating cruel blood sports," stated the League’s Northern Ireland campaigner Mary Friel. "While we were fairly certain this latest attempt to overturn it had no substance, it is encouraging to have this clarified by the Minister."
Sources of information:
www.league.org.uk
www.niassembly.gov.uk
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ACTION ALERT 1
Welcome Minister Gildernew's statement that she won't be attempting to block a ban on coursing.
Michelle Gildernew MP
Minister for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Tel: 028 905 24011
Fax: 028 905 24170
Email: private.office@dardni.gov.uk
SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter.)
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Dear Minister,
I welcome your statement that you 'will not be taking any action that could negate the provisions on a ban on hare coursing'. Coursing is a cruel blood sport which a majority in Northern Ireland want outlawed. A ban is long overdue and will be widely welcomed when it comes into force. Yours sincerely, [Name/Location] |
ACTION ALERT 2
Urge Minister John Gormley to follow the example of Northern Ireland and stop licensing coursing. Send a copy of your correspondence to all of your TDs and encourage them to back a ban on the blood sport.
Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
[CC taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie - An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen]
Tel: 01 888 2403. Fax: 01 878 8640.
Find out the names of your TDs and their email addresses
http://www.oireachtas.ie/members%2Dhist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=30&disp=const
http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=12684&&CatID=138
SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter.)
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Dear Minister Gormley
I am one of the majority who want coursing banned. I urge you to follow the example of Northern Ireland and act now to bring this cruel activity to an end. Thank you. Yours sincerely, [Name/Location] |
Slideshow: the cruelty of hare coursing in Ireland
Further Reading
The Facts About Hare Coursing
Stress and Capture Myopathy in Hares
Irish Hare: "conservation status is poor"
Hares and rabbits factsheet
More information about hare coursing
Coursing: Leaflet | Photos | Videos | Petition
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