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)