Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
630. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the species of birds which are on the open season hunting list; if these include birds that are amber and red listed or for which there are conservation concerns; and if the working group that was established in 2021 has reported to him yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43423/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe conservation status of some of the species that may be hunted in Ireland is declining. In order to continue to protect and preserve the conservation status of these species, and to support sustainable hunting practices, a new way forward is required. This must be collaborative and based on scientific evidence.
The internal NPWS working group set up to review the status of Birds Directive Annex II species on the Open Seasons Order is carrying out considerable work to develop a range of options available for future Orders. Once this process has been completed, the working group will report to me.
Based on the information currently available, the number of species under conservation threat, and our legal obligations under the Birds Directive, changes in the ambit of the 2023/2024 order are possible, such as the removal of certain species from the order. A wide ranging consultation with stakeholders and interest groups in relation to future orders will be undertaken over the coming months. While there is no doubt that this will be a challenging process, I am keen to listen to the views of all of the interested parties in advance of any potential changes.
Details of the species currently on the Open Seasons Order are outlined in the table below, including their status on the Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland (BOCCI) list and as reported on under the Birds Directive.
Table: Birds Directive Annex II species that are currently on Ireland’s Open Seasons Order, whether conservation concerns have been identified by the Department at the national level via the Birds Directive Article 12 reporting process, and their status on the BOCCI list
Breeding= breeding; W= wintering.
*Hunting of Red-Legged Partridge in Ireland is of intentionally released birds.
|
Species |
On the Open Seasons Order |
Conservation Concerns |
BOCCI |
|
Red Grouse |
Yes |
Yes |
Red |
|
Mallard |
Yes |
|
Amber (B & W) |
|
Teal |
Yes |
Yes |
Amber (B & W) |
|
Gadwall |
Yes |
Yes |
Amber (B & W) |
|
Wigeon |
Yes |
Yes |
Amber (B & W) |
|
Pintail |
Yes |
Yes |
Amber (W) |
|
Shoveler |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (B & W) |
|
Scaup |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (W) |
|
Tufted Duck |
Yes |
Yes |
Amber (B & W) |
|
Pochard |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (B & W) |
|
Goldeneye |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (W) |
|
Golden Plover |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (B & W) |
|
Snipe |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (B & W) |
|
Jack Snipe |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Red-legged Partridge* |
Yes |
|
|
|
Pheasant |
Yes (males only) |
|
|
|
Woodcock |
Yes |
Yes |
Red (B) |
|
Woodpigeon |
Yes |
|
|
|
Canada Goose |
Yes |
|
|
|
Greylag Goose |
Yes (feral/resident population only) |
|
Amber (W) |
|
Ruddy Duck |
Yes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
