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14/10/2003
Minister snares hare coursing plans
Plans by a coursing club to net hares for a coursing meet have been snared by NIO Minister, Angela Smith.
The application from Dungannon and District Coursing Club was turned down because of the low number of hares in Ireland, the Minister said.
“The Irish hare is in danger. It is low in number and the DOE has published a species action plan, which has among its objectives the doubling of the Irish hare population by 2010," Mrs Smith said.
"Although I accept that the dogs are muzzled during coursing, there is evidence that deaths among the coursed hares can arise from causes other than being bitten. Anything that puts the lives and welfare of the Irish hare at risk is inconsistent with the policy objectives of the species action plan.”
The Minister also expressed her concern about the practice of importing hares, including Irish hares, netted in the Republic of Ireland for coursing events in Northern Ireland.
“I understand that the club may have imported sufficient hares from the Republic of Ireland to allow the planned coursing event to proceed. I would be concerned that these could include Irish hares. The Irish hare is a sub-species endemic to the island of Ireland," she added.
Angela Smith also announced that the Department of Environment will be going to public consultation shortly on a proposal to make a temporary special protection order to prevent the killing or taking of hares.
(MB)
The application from Dungannon and District Coursing Club was turned down because of the low number of hares in Ireland, the Minister said.
“The Irish hare is in danger. It is low in number and the DOE has published a species action plan, which has among its objectives the doubling of the Irish hare population by 2010," Mrs Smith said.
"Although I accept that the dogs are muzzled during coursing, there is evidence that deaths among the coursed hares can arise from causes other than being bitten. Anything that puts the lives and welfare of the Irish hare at risk is inconsistent with the policy objectives of the species action plan.”
The Minister also expressed her concern about the practice of importing hares, including Irish hares, netted in the Republic of Ireland for coursing events in Northern Ireland.
“I understand that the club may have imported sufficient hares from the Republic of Ireland to allow the planned coursing event to proceed. I would be concerned that these could include Irish hares. The Irish hare is a sub-species endemic to the island of Ireland," she added.
Angela Smith also announced that the Department of Environment will be going to public consultation shortly on a proposal to make a temporary special protection order to prevent the killing or taking of hares.
(MB)
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22 October 2003
Hare coursing protest set for Dungannon
Protestors will call for an end to hare coursing later this week, when the League Against Cruel Sports brings its campaign to the streets of Dungannon.
Hare coursing protest set for Dungannon
Protestors will call for an end to hare coursing later this week, when the League Against Cruel Sports brings its campaign to the streets of Dungannon.
17 December 2003
Minister imposes ban to protect the Irish hare
NIO Minister, Angela Smith today announced that she has decided to proceed with a temporary ban on the killing, taking, sale or purchase of Irish Hares. The ban, to be introduced by a special protection order under the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928, will take effect from 19 January 2004 for a period of 12 months.
Minister imposes ban to protect the Irish hare
NIO Minister, Angela Smith today announced that she has decided to proceed with a temporary ban on the killing, taking, sale or purchase of Irish Hares. The ban, to be introduced by a special protection order under the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928, will take effect from 19 January 2004 for a period of 12 months.
15 September 2003
League Against Cruel Sports call for end to hare coursing
The League Against Cruel Sports has today launched a campaign to end coursing of the Irish hare in Northern Ireland. Launching the campaign at Malone House Barnett’s Demesne, Belfast, Chief Executive Douglas Batchelor said almost three-quarters of the people of Northern Ireland supported the move.
League Against Cruel Sports call for end to hare coursing
The League Against Cruel Sports has today launched a campaign to end coursing of the Irish hare in Northern Ireland. Launching the campaign at Malone House Barnett’s Demesne, Belfast, Chief Executive Douglas Batchelor said almost three-quarters of the people of Northern Ireland supported the move.
23 March 2006
DoE introduce further protection for Irish hare
The Department of the Environment (DoE) is set to introduce a further temporary ban on the killing, taking and trade in Irish hares. The ban will run for a period starting on April 17 2006 until March 31 2007, as part of a special protection order under the terms of the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928.
DoE introduce further protection for Irish hare
The Department of the Environment (DoE) is set to introduce a further temporary ban on the killing, taking and trade in Irish hares. The ban will run for a period starting on April 17 2006 until March 31 2007, as part of a special protection order under the terms of the Game Preservation Act (NI) 1928.
07 September 2004
Irish hare population shows signs of recovery
The number of Irish Hares recorded in Northern Ireland has increased "significantly", a new survey has revealed.
Irish hare population shows signs of recovery
The number of Irish Hares recorded in Northern Ireland has increased "significantly", a new survey has revealed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
