Countryside Alliance Ireland is to merge its shooting, angling and conservation membership in the Republic of Ireland with IFA Countryside.

In a statement, Countryside Alliance said that the decision follows difficulties in obtaining insurance cover and the “extraordinary premium increases” being demanded by some international underwriters for cover.

The organisation is headquartered in Britain and lobbies on behalf of country sports including hunting, shooting and fishing.

It will continue to represent the interests of hunts in the Republic for now and will continue to operate as normal in Northern Ireland and Britain.

Insurance

Countryside Alliance chief executive Lyall Plant said that the merger meant that members would obtain insurance cover at an affordable price: “IFA Countryside insurance is currently underwritten by FBD Insurance, an Irish-regulated company with a strong heritage in rural Ireland.”

Members will continue to have a lobbying organisation defending their interests, now as part of a much bigger organisation.

Plant added: “The IFA is Ireland’s largest farming organisation, with strong links to many Government departments, direct access to European agencies and most importantly the farming community on which our members are hugely dependent.

Our two organisations have been closely aligned in defending the interests of our members

"For many years, our two organisations have been closely aligned in defending the interests of our members. We have always been impressed by the IFA Countryside membership and have no concerns regarding the level of member support and campaigning power that their team will provide to you, our member, post the merger.”

Plant said that in the coming weeks and months members will receive information detailing the full package of membership benefits that IFA Countryside currently provides and that there will also be a series of regional information meetings.

In a separate statement, the National Association of Regional Game Councils said it would welcome any Countryside Alliance clubs or individuals seeking to join its membership.