Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2023
100. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has authorised the use of decoy crows for the purpose of protecting crops and animal feed by farmers pursuant to section 35(4) of the Wildlife Act 1976, as amended; and if not, to provide reasons that purpose has not been authorised. [54098/23]
View answer101. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the number of licences or permits that his Department has granted for decoy crows for the purpose of scientific research, for protecting crops and animal feed by farmers, and for other purposes approved by the Minister, respectively, for each year since 2020. [54099/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 101 together.
Licences under Section 35(4) of the Wildlife Acts, as amended, allows for certain use of decoys but may only be granted for ‘scientific research or for another purpose approved of by the Minister’. The use of decoy crows has not been authorised for the purpose of protecting crops and animal feed by farmers. However, the General Wild Bird Declaration allows for the control of crows where there is a threat to public health & safety and vector in the spread of animal diseases; to prevent serious damage to livestock; and also in the protection of fauna, notably the nests and young of game birds. The control method that can be used for all of the above reasons is by ‘shooting with rifle or shotgun and by use of cage traps with or without live decoys subject to conditions’. This can occur during specific time periods as outlined in the Declaration that can be found here: www.npws.ie/legislation/eu-directives/birds-directive/eu-birds-directive-article-9-derogations
Below are details of licences granted under Section 35 of the Wildlife Acts, as amended:
|
Year |
Scientific Research (including predator control for conservation purposes) |
Protecting crops and animal feed |
|
2020 |
17 |
0 |
|
2021 |
3 |
0 |
|
2022 |
7 |
2 (issued in error) |
|
2023 |
13 |
0 |
|
Total |
42 |
2 |
