Countryside Alliance Ireland and BASC (NI) stood before the Environment Committee on Thursday the 10th May 2012 to give a briefing on the Marine Bill, which was recently introduced into the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Both organisations welcomes any measures aimed at benefitting marine life and biodiversity. However, the Marine Bill as it currently stands will do little to improve the level of protection afforded to marine life in Northern Ireland and has the potential to significantly hamper many citizens’ livelihoods and recreation.

Lyall Plant, Chief Executive of Countryside Alliance Ireland, commented, “Whilst we believe the Marine Bill is theoretically a positive movement for Northern Ireland’s marine life, we are very concerned about the ambiguity of this Bill.

This obscurity leaves the Bill open to misinterpretation and potential abuse, and provides an opportunity for unsympathetic parties to unnecessarily prohibit legitimate rural pursuits.”

“We therefore wish to see this Bill significantly revised to ensure that the legislation is both transparent and fair. Our briefing to the Environment Committee was a substantial step in the right direction; we have ensured they are aware of our misgivings and what we recommend to make this piece of legislation just.”

If this Bill were to reach Royal Assent in its current form, many members may find their livelihoods and recreation severely unnecessarily curtailed. Countryside Alliance Ireland and BASC (NI) is doing everything in their power to ensure this does not happen, and we were pleased to be invited to give evidence in a joint briefing to the Committee.

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News UpdateMay - June 2012

Defending Wildfowling in Northern Ireland

Successful Start to the Game Fair Season

The 2012 Game Fair season had a successful opening with Ballywalter Game and Country Living Fair and the National Countrysports Fair both taking place in May. The former was held in the picturesque surroundings of Ballywalter House, Co. Down, over the first weekend in May. The weather was kind, if not a little colder than last year, but the rain managed to stay away for the weekend.

The last weekend of the month hosted the two day Northern Ireland Countryside Festival which incorporated the National Countrysports Fair. The weather had warmed up and this helped to ensure a large attending crowd.

At both fairs the Countryside Alliance Ireland marquee was busy as ever with the British Deer Society NI, Lindsay Carlisle and the Sunnyland Beagles all joining us at the side of the main arena. The British Deer Society NI brought along their state-of-the-art quads for visitors to see, which proved a popular attraction both to visitors and exhibitors alike!

The beagles were well behaved and as usual provided much entertainment for the youngsters who attended the fair. They, along with BDS NI and Lindsay will also be attending the Irish Game Fair and Country Lifestyle Festival at Shanes Castle on 7th and 8th July; so do come along and visit the stand.

This year at Ballywalter, CAI sponsored the prizes for the dog guru, Keith Matthews’ obedience class at Ballywalter. Both Saturday and Sunday’s classes proved competitive with prizes going to the woman, man and child with the most obedient dog. The standard was high and all participants deserve credit for their efforts.

The new gundog event showcased at Moira provided a stage for many to show their talents in this field, and with competitions for young handlers as well, it was great to see emerging talent. The live music kept the crowds entertained until late in the evening and provided a carnival atmosphere for the fair-goers.

Countryside Alliance Ireland will be attending three more fairs over the summer at Shane’s Castle, Borris House and Birr Castle. The team really enjoy meeting our members, so do call into the stand and say ‘hello’. You will always receive a warm welcome.

We are offering our members discounted tickets for the National Country Fair at Borris House. To purchase two tickets for the price of one phone our Courtlough office on 01 690 3610 or Lisburn Office on 028 9263 9911.

Photographs from both these events, and all the fairs over the summer, can be viewed on the CAI facebook page, for more information just visit our website at caireland.org

Game & Country Fairs Calendar for 2012

CAI will also be in attendance at the following events this summer:

Date and Event

Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 July 2012 - Irish Game Fair, Shanes Castle, Antrim

Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 August 2012 - National Country Fair, Borris Castle, County Carlow

Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 August 2012 - Irish Game & Country Fair, Birr Castle, County Offaly

Come along and enjoy the best Ireland has to offer

Help the IRGA with Curlew Survey

Curlew numbers in Ireland have rapidly declined over the past number of years and it has been reported that there may be as few as 200 breeding pairs left throughout the country. This is in stark contrast to the last Breeding Atlas (1988-1991) where the Irish population was estimated at around 5,000 pairs.

As a proactive conservation force, the Irish Red Grouse Association (IRGA) is assisting Birdwatch Ireland and calling for all country sports enthusiasts to be vigilant and to report any sightings of curlew to them in order that they may gauge and monitor the populations in each county.

At present the IRGA are focussing mainly on the Monaghan, Cavan and Leitrim areas.

The Irish Red Grouse Association was established in November 2010 and aims to promote active moorland management with an overall objective to increase the numbers of Irish red grouse. Since its inception, the Association has gone from strength to strength and now they wish to extend their expertise to help conserve curlew.

Many different factors have contributed to the curlew’s decline; including loss of habitat, predation and intensive farming practices; indeed many causes similar to the fall in red grouse numbers.

The IRGA Chairman, Vincent Flannelly said ‘I urge everyone to help us in our aim to preserve and protect curlew numbers with the overall future objective of introducing a proactive breeding programme. The curlew is seriously endangered; they have been red listed as a globally endangered species since 2007. We must act now before it is too late and we hope we can count on your support.’

If you would like to be a part of the survey, please forward any useful information or sightings to Vincent Flannelly at nessa.od@hotmail.com or contact Vincent on +353 (0) 87 612 2568.

Macmillan Benefits From Angling!

Macmillan Cancer Support are the delighted recipients of £2,600 which was raised by Montalto Angling Club at Finnebrogue Lake following their recent fundraising event.

Before the presentation, Joanne McMullan gave the assembled anglers a brief outline on the valuable work of Macmillan Cancer Support. She highlighted the fact that cancer affects one in three people and that most people are affected in some way during their life, whether directly or indirectly.

Joanne also commented that this was the first time she had attended an angling fundraiser and she now knew the reason why angling is a much loved pastime for many people in Northern Ireland especially in the beautiful and tranquil setting of Finnebrogue.

The event was well attended and President of Montalto Anglers, Mr Frankie Martin said “I would like to thank everyone who helped to make our day such a huge success and for the tremendous support we received from the participants and especially our sponsors, including The Dufferin Arms, Adairs Bakery, Hillsborough, Healthy Choice Poultry, Carncura Ltd, Finnebrogue Venison, Ed Lindsay and North Down Fruit & Veg and Chris Dagens”.

He continued, “Over the past three years Montalto Anglers have raised over £9,000 for these worthwhile cancer charities and we are already looking forward to next year’s event”.

For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support visit their website at macmillan.org.uk

Left to Right. John Donnan, Joanne McMullan, Alex Donnan.

CAI Submits Brief to Minister Coveney

An Animal Health and Welfare Bill has recently been introduced into the Oireachtas. Countryside Alliance Ireland welcomes any legislation that aims to improve the standard of animal welfare in Ireland.

However, we are concerned with the ambiguity and inconsistency of this Bill and the potential opportunity this

may provide for unsympathetic parties to unnecessary curtail countrysports, and indeed diminish the level of welfare afforded to animals at present.

We strongly feel the draft Bill needs serious revision to provide greater clarity and remove the potential for misinterpretation and abuse. CAI recently contributed to a submission undertaken by F.A.C.E. Ireland to outline several organisations’ concerns relating to the Bill.

As an organisation that campaigns for the countryside and the rural way of life, CAI has also submitted a brief; both to the Minister himself and to the Select Sub-committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, highlighting the issues that we believe require revision.

Our prime concern is the lack of provision within the Bill to allow for the prophylactic

docking of working dogs’ tails. This is an essential animal welfare tool and we strongly believe it is imperative that a provision be included within the Animal Health and Welfare Bill to allow for this.

We will continue to liaise with the Department and keep our members up to date.

Northern Ireland Hound Show

The Northern Ireland Hound Show will take place at Gosford Forest Park, Markethill, on Saturday 9th June 2012 in conjunction with the Armagh County Agricultural Show. The hound show is organised by the Hunting Association of Northern Ireland.

There will be classes for Foxhounds, Harriers and Beagles, with packs throughout Ireland competing. Judging will take place in two rings, commencing at 10.30am with a lunch break at approximately 1.00pm.

If you are attending the Armagh Show why not make a point of visiting the hound rings to see the colourful spectacle provided by the huntsmen and their handsome hounds.

Wild Deer Association of Ireland AGM

The Wild Deer Association of Ireland Annual General Meeting is being held in the Kilcoran Hotel, Cahir, County Tipperary, on Saturday 16th June at 7.30pm.

The WDAI Committee requests that all members attend the meeting. You can contact the hotel on +353 (0) 52 744 1288 to avail of the preferential accommodation rate.

A trophy head competition will also be held, and following the AGM there will be a delicious venison banquet.

CAI is sponsoring the John Creedon Memorial Award for Wildlife Photography, which will be presented on the night. For more information, visit the WDAI website. www.wilddeerireland.com

Cross Country Ride Raises £1,000 for Charity

To mark the end of the hunting season, Newry Hunt hosted their annual charity cross country ride in the picturesque surroundings of Narrow Water Castle, Warrenpoint.

Over 50 riders turned out for a thrilling ride over hedges, stone walls and drains, which provided a good afternoon’s entertainment for participants and spectators alike. There were fences to suit all levels, including some optional hedges which proved too intimidating for some of the riders.

The ride raised £1,000 for Camphill Community, Glencraig. Camphill is a very worthwhile cause that offers opportunities for people with learning disabilities, mental health problems and other special needs.

There are 20 communities throughout Ireland and more information on the charity can be found on their website. at glencraig.org.uk

Newry Hunt is grateful to the many land owners’ for their hospitality and hopes to see everyone there next year.

Bits and Pieces