Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2017
59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the National Parks and Wildlife Service is using Larsen traps, which have been banned in many EU countries and banned here under the Wildlife Act 1976. [40694/17]
View answerA significant number of native Irish breeding birds, particularly ground-nesting birds, are of priority conservation concern due to steep declines in their breeding population. This includes the Curlew, which has declined by 97% in Ireland since the late 1980s and needs substantial effort if it is to be saved from extinction as a breeding species here. Research has shown that one of the key reasons for the declines of Curlew and other ground-nesting birds is excessive predation rates, including by members of the crow family, in particular Grey Crows and Magpies. It is estimated that there are more than half a million of both species in Ireland, and that their population is artificially high. They are both difficult species to control effectively.
Magpies and Grey Crows are controlled, in a managed and localised way, by professional operatives on contract to the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to help rare and threatened species rear their young. Larsen traps are used as part of this effort.
The use of Larsen traps is permitted in Ireland subject to compliance with the Wildlife Acts (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003, and Section 35(5) of the Wildlife Acts.
The Wild Bird Declarations which I signed in April of this year and which run to May of 2018 makes it lawful to hunt Grey Crows and Magpies with cage traps (including Larsen traps) once the conditions set out in the declarations are met during the periods and for the reasons set out in the declarations.
