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A row has kicked off over pigeon shooting between the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Traditionally, a derogation is granted to shoot wood pigeons from May 31 to September 1. These birds are deemed as pests in the farm community where they can annihilate large swathes of crops.
Losing yield to hordes of hungry pigeons
However, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which is overseen by the Department, has told the NARGC that new scientific data means the wood pigeon cannot be shot this year.
The NARGC has responded strongly and demanded to see the new data. It also maintains that tillage farmers will be furious with the Department’s decision.
“Tillage farmers have enough to contend with; rain, wind, heat or cold, price and costs without losing yield to hordes of hungry pigeons,” the NARGC said.
“The Minister and the parks and wildlife department seem far removed from the problems of the Irish farmer.
“We call upon the Minister to immediately rescind this change to the established derogation that has worked well all down the years.”
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