Farmers unite with welfare charity over call for hunting ban

Farmers unite with welfare charity over call for hunting ban

23 October 2019

A NUMBER of local farmers have joined forces with an animal welfare charity to call for a hunting ban.

A number of farmers from across the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area met last week with representatives from the League Against Cruel Sports.

Those who attended the meeting in Rathfriland say they “want their voices to be heard” with farmers discussing the “havoc” caused by hunts trespassing on their farmland.

During the meeting held last Friday they also examined ways in which to gather evidence to show the scale of the issue.

It was claimed that hunts are behind anti-social behaviour and public order offences and that hounds present a “biosecurity threat in the countryside”.

Farmland being churned up and boundary fencing being damaged were also issued highlighted by farmers.

Janice Watt, senior public affairs officer for Northern Ireland at the League Against Cruel Sports, said it is apparent that many farmers are concerned at the behaviour of hunts in the County Down area. 

“Our aim is to help farmers know the correct course of action to help combat hunt incidents on their land without putting themselves in danger,” she explained.

Janice claimed that there are “hundreds of farmers” frustrated by the way the hunts act but who may be afraid of retaliation. 

“We will make sure their voices are heard,” she continued.

“Twenty-first century farms have no need for fox hunting and this was clearly voiced by farmers at the forum meeting. Claiming that farmers need their assistance was the last argument available to hunts. Last week’s meeting has proven that it is not true.”

The public affairs officer said it is time this “barbaric, unnecessary blood-sport” was banned in Northern Ireland which is the only part of the United Kingdom without a ban on hunting with dogs.

She said the League Against Cruel Sports is working with local politicians and councillors to highlight the cruelty and the damaging effect it has on rural communities.

One of the farmers who attended last week’s meeting said he and his colleagues are “fed up” with the hunts treating their land as their own. 

“We are business people and can’t afford the damage caused by this hobby. Alongside the fencing broken by the horses and the crops trampled on, we have had hounds harassing pregnant ewes causing them to abort; every lamb lost costs us money, but the hunts don’t care,” he added.