Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021
211. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on whether allowing wood pigeons to be shot for a 12-month period between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022 breaches the EU Birds Directive; and if he will remove the birds from the directive derogations or reduce the period during which they may be shot. [44272/21]
View answerThe annual State wide Wild Birds Declaration was signed on 30 April 2021 in compliance with the EU Birds Directive.
The wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) is listed in Annex II, Part A of the Birds Directive. Owing to their population level, geographical distribution and reproductive rate throughout the European Community, Article 8 of the Birds Directive permits bird species listed under that Annex to be hunted under national legislation. However, subject to derogation, national laws must ensure that hunting of these bird species during the rearing season or during the various stages of reproduction is prohibited.
As such, Wood Pigeons are listed in Part I of the Wildlife (Wild Birds) (Open Seasons) Orders 1979 to 2012. They may be hunted during the period beginning 1 November in each year and ending on 31 January immediately following that year throughout the State; except in exclusion zones, referred to as Wildfowl Sanctuaries, at 68 different locations throughout the State.
Article 9 of the Birds Directive, however, allows Member States to derogate from the prohibition of hunting during the protected season for a number of reasons, including to prevent serious damage to crops. Therefore, by way of the Declaration signed in April, the wood pigeon is permitted to be hunted between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, for the specific reason to prevent serious damage to arable crops, including cereals, legumes and brassicas.
The method of control specified in the Declaration (‘Shooting with rifle or shotgun’) complies with the requirements of Article 8 of the Birds Directive which prohibits the use of all means, arrangements or methods used for the large-scale or non-selective capture or killing of birds.
The Declaration, which expires on 30 April 2022, is subject to annual review. My Department routinely seeks views of the public in relation to the control of certain wild bird species before such Declarations are made. My Department is committed to carrying out a review of all the species on the Declaration list on a phased basis. This year, for example, a survey is being undertaken on the gull population. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department intends to carry out a review of the issue of pigeon damage to crops, including the collection of new scientific data, with a view to informing decisions for future declarations.
