Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
355. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to reintroduce a ban on pigeon shooting on farms considering that tillage farmers and cereal growers currently enjoy a derogation from same in order to protect their crops from pigeon damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1265/21]
View answerThe current declarations allowing for the control of certain wild bird species are due to expire on 30 April 2021.
The effects of the declarations are to allow the control of certain wild bird species by landowners or their agents where these species are causing serious damage to crops, livestock, fauna or where they represent a threat to public health, throughout the State. A separate declaration is made to allow the control of certain wild bird species by airport authorities or their agents throughout the State where these species represent a threat to air-safety. A link to the current Declarations is below.
www.npws.ie/legislation/irish-law/eu-birds-directive-derogations.
No decisions have been taken at this time in relation to a declaration for period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022. A review of the declarations is currently underway and my Department will welcome any views on the operation of the current declaration or proposals in respect of the 2021/22 declaration. A notice in respect of this review can be seen at the following link; www.npws.ie/news/control-certain-wild-bird-species.
Observations should be submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage via e-mail (WildBirdDeclarations@chg.gov.ie) by 5 pm on Wednesday 20 January 2021.
