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Tillage farmers are furious after a decision by Minister of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan to rule out a derogation for shooting pigeons during summer months.
Farmers say shooting pigeons is the only way to control their numbers and protect crops such as brassicas from being ravaged during the summer months.
“Every year we have shooters come in to help control the pigeon population,” Philip Haskin, a farmer from Waterford, told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“No one seems to have been consulted on this legislation. It seems very underhand to bring it in when everyone is focused on the pandemic.”
Paul O’Connell, a farmer from Laois, pointed out that there was no other way to control the pigeon population and said if numbers weren’t controlled they’d have an even bigger problem in the future.
I am in total shock and disbelief at your recent ministerial order
He said he was “flabbergasted” by the short-sightedness of the decision.
The National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) has added its voice to farmer concerns and written an open letter to the minister asking her to reveal the “scientific advice” she has referencing in her decision to pull the pigeon derogation.
Its vice-chair Michael Fenlon wrote that the decision by the minister and her Department “beggars belief.”
“I am in total shock and disbelief at your recent ministerial order, an order to cease the practice of controlling wood pigeon during the months of June and August,” Fenlon said.
The Irish Farmers Journal has asked the Department of Culture and the National Parks and Wildlife Service for a response on the issue but, at the time of going to print, none was forthcoming.
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