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17/12/2003
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.
Explaining the reasoning behind the temporary ban, the Minister said: "I have given this matter a lot of thought and looked carefully at the arguments from the objectors. I also met with the Countryside Alliance earlier this week to hear their arguments face to face.
"It has been established over a number of years that Irish Hare numbers are low. As a result, the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment has published a Species Action Plan which includes a target to double the 1997 population levels over as wide an area as possible by 2010.
"It is clear that the activities which a ban would prevent put the lives of Irish Hares at risk," she added.
Commenting on the decision, Douglas Batchelor from League Against Cruel Sports said: "We have played an active role at all stages of the consultation and as such are confident the result will be a moratorium on the coursing and hunting of the Irish hare.
"The Irish hare is under threat, and each time coursers go out to inflict suffering on this beautiful animal, the threat becomes greater."
The League Against Cruel Sports launched a campaign to end coursing of the Irish hare in Northern Ireland in September.
In received messages of support from a number of local political representatives including the UUP's Norah Bear, DUP representative, Jim Wells, the SDLP's Agriculture spokesman PJ Bradley and Jane Morrice of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.
(MB)
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.
Explaining the reasoning behind the temporary ban, the Minister said: "I have given this matter a lot of thought and looked carefully at the arguments from the objectors. I also met with the Countryside Alliance earlier this week to hear their arguments face to face.
"It has been established over a number of years that Irish Hare numbers are low. As a result, the Environment and Heritage Service of the Department of the Environment has published a Species Action Plan which includes a target to double the 1997 population levels over as wide an area as possible by 2010.
"It is clear that the activities which a ban would prevent put the lives of Irish Hares at risk," she added.
Commenting on the decision, Douglas Batchelor from League Against Cruel Sports said: "We have played an active role at all stages of the consultation and as such are confident the result will be a moratorium on the coursing and hunting of the Irish hare.
"The Irish hare is under threat, and each time coursers go out to inflict suffering on this beautiful animal, the threat becomes greater."
The League Against Cruel Sports launched a campaign to end coursing of the Irish hare in Northern Ireland in September.
In received messages of support from a number of local political representatives including the UUP's Norah Bear, DUP representative, Jim Wells, the SDLP's Agriculture spokesman PJ Bradley and Jane Morrice of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.
(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.
14 October 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.
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.
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.
02 June 2010
Irish Activists To Be Released By Israelis
Six Irish activists currently being held by Israel are to be released as international pressure and public outrage mounts over the attack on the flotilla taking aid to Gaza. The Irish activists have been detained in an Israeli camp for the past two days are to be released and flown home either today or tomorrow.
Irish Activists To Be Released By Israelis
Six Irish activists currently being held by Israel are to be released as international pressure and public outrage mounts over the attack on the flotilla taking aid to Gaza. The Irish activists have been detained in an Israeli camp for the past two days are to be released and flown home either today or tomorrow.
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.
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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.
