Widely differing views on draft legislation which aims to ban hunting with dogs in NI were aired during a meeting of Stormont’s agriculture committee last week.

It included evidence from Glenwherry-based gamekeeper Merlin Becker who described the private members bill from the Alliance Party’s John Blair as “unworkable”.

He told MLAs that dogs are required for effective predator control and conservation work in areas like the Antrim hills.

Becker cited research which shows that “best practice predator control” leads to three times more ground nesting birds when compared to areas where no wildlife management takes place.

“There is always a little evil for a greater good. It’s about what we are leaving behind. It’s not about what we are taking out,” he said.

Representatives from Hunting Association NI, who also oppose the bill, told MLAs that local hunts provide an important service for farmers by controlling predators and vermin.

Declan Feeney said hunting groups work with local residents and landowners to minimise disruption and they only hunt on land where they have been given permission.

“The East Down Foxhounds have been hunting in Seaforde one way or another from 1768. If we went and wrecked and teared, we wouldn’t be hunting,” he said.

Damage

However, a residents’ group from near Dromore, Co Down, said some hunting parties do enter land without permission and they can cause considerable damage.

“We are concerned about gates being forced open or damaged, fencing wire being cut, hedges destroyed, crops trampled, and agricultural ground damaged,” said Christine Bailey.

She was also critical of a written agreement on landowner rights between the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Countryside Alliance Ireland, and the NI Masters of Hounds Association.

“The memorandum of understanding has no legal standing and is unenforceable with no penalties whatsoever,” Bailey said.

Chaos

Another supporter of the bill was Longford farmer and campaigner Francis Ward, who argued that fox hunting can be counter-productive for livestock farmers.

“It creates chaos in the area and that is why foxes would take risks as in going after sheep when normally they might never do it,” he said.

He also offered some questionable advice by suggesting sheep farmers should lamb ewes earlier as vixens kill more prey from March onwards when their cubs are born.

“If you lamb indoors and you have them lambs in for up to three weeks, you will not have an issue with foxes,” he added.