Vol. 413 No. 9
133 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the open season for pigeon shooting, which commences on 1 June, is in the middle of their breeding season, and is in contravention of the EC 1979 Wild Bird Directive; his views on whether this open season is totally unnecessary having regard to the 1979 directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Woodpigeons breed several times a year from February to December. During the summer months woodpigeons are considered both as a quarry and opportunistic or "pest" species.
Article 9 of Directive 79/409/EEC permits member states to derogate from the provisions of Article 5, which prohibits deliberate disturbance during the breeding season, where there is no other satisfactory solution, for the following reasons: in the interest of public health and safety, in the interest of air safety, to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water, and for the protection of flora and fauna.
Woodpigeons do cause serious damage to crops and hunting is a legitimate and accepted means of control. The open season for woodpigeon, which is from 1 June to 31 January, is to be reviewed by the Committee for Adaptation to Technical and Scientific Progress set up under Directive 79/409/EEC. Outside this open season, farmers and their agents may shoot woodpigeons where they are causing damage to crops under derogation in accordance with Article 9.
