(l-r) NARGC Chairman Sean Doris, Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan, FACE Europe President Gilbert De Turckheim, and FACE-Ireland Chairman Oliver Russell / Noel Mullins photo
Irish Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan gave the keynote address at a two-day meeting of FACE (Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation) during Ireland’s presidency of the EU in Dublin. In sharp contrast to the attitude of his predecessor, Minister Deenihan’s presence was a welcome breath of fresh air to supporters of hunting, wildlife preservation, and the countryside in Ireland.
FACE is an international organisation that builds bridges between European legislative bodies and the representatives of civil society who stand for sustainable hunting and conservation in Europe. As such, it represents the interests of seven million hunters in thirty-eight countries including the twenty-seven EU countries, making it the largest democratically representative body for hunters in the world.
Headed up by a secretariat staffed by professionals in Brussels, FACE has alliances with likeminded international bodies such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Birdlife International, the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, European Anglers Association, Wetlands International, European Landowners Association, and The International Association of Falconry and Birds of Prey.
The FACE meeting began with an Open Board Meeting on the first day attended by representatives from twenty-two countries who discussed wildlife conservation policy, animal health and welfare, firearms and ammunition, hunting in Ireland, International agreements, invasive alien species, hunting methods and culture, and EU Directives. Also present were representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, Teagasc (the National body responsible for providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the Agri Food Sector, and the broader Bio Economy), the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, BirdWatch Ireland, and representatives of the national press and sporting media.
Opening Address
The opening address was given by the Chairman of FACE in Ireland Oliver Russell who is a member of the Ward Union Staghounds and was also a former chairman of the Hunting Association of Ireland. In Ireland FACE-affiliated organisations are made up of the governing bodies of hunting with hounds such as the foxhounds (both mounted and foot harriers), beagles, mink hounds, staghound associations as well as the game councils, coursing, deer and falconry societies, salmon and sea trout association, wild deer association, game protection and countryside alliance.
Russell informed the international audience that hunting in Ireland is enjoyed by more than 300,000 people and receives widespread support in the countryside. From the point of view of hunting with hounds, aside from the mounted packs, by far the largest group are the foot packs which are represented by over 110 clubs centred mainly in the south and south-west of the country. He reflected on the difficulties of working with the previous Irish Government administration where the then Minister for the Environment (a member of the Green Party) declined every invitation to meet or involve the associations in the decision making process, in contrast to the excellent relationship that they enjoy with the present administration. He also highlighted the challenges to hunting with hounds, and particularly effective communications to grass roots level where every follower has a responsibility to represent the best interests of hunting, and to hunt within the law.
Research Project at Nui Galway
A presentation by Dr. David Scallan from NUI Galway on a research project that he conducted showed that game shooting, hunting with hounds, coursing, deer shooting, and falconry contributed over 112 million Euros to the Irish economy. Of that, thirty percent or 34 million Euros is attributed to hunting with hounds. From an employment point of view, hunting with hounds is responsible for over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs in the countryside where there is often no alternative source of employment.
NARGC
FACE Vice Chairman Des Crofton, who also serves as National Director of the National Association of Rural Game Councils (NARGC), said that his 26,000 members are located in every parish and village around the country. He complimented Minister Deenihan on his positive and constructive approach to wildlife, and achieving success on a number of joint projects by involving his organisation and the local clubs who have played a key role in their success. NARGC is a Senate nominating body, and is entitled to nominate two candidates for election to the Irish Senate which is the upper house of parliament.
The Minister’s Address
In his keynote address, Minister Deenihan complimented FACE for its positive engagement with his department, and particularly Des Crofton in his role as National Director of NARGC. He cited an example of positive collaboration of the project on Red Grouse and Grey Partridge which were facing extinction, as an example of what can be achieved through constructive partnership. He complimented his Department’s Wildlife Service, NARGC, BirdWatch Ireland and local farmers and hunters who partnered in the ongoing Red Grouse conservation project in County Leitrim, staffed with a full time game keeper, as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of what can be achieved through working together.
A presentation on the project was given by Dr. Sinead Cummins, Species Policy Officer of BirdWatch Ireland, and John Carslake the Gamekeeper on the Boleybrack Mountain Habitat Management Project. Invasive alien species are a concern to the Minister, such as the North American mink and the grey squirrel as well as West Nile Virus, Avian Influenza and lead shot.
Illegal hunting is another concern, as he said, that was repugnant to all hunting associations, and is not reflective at all of traditional hunting practices. But he expressed his gratitude to all hunters who are members of FACE-Ireland, and to his own officials on their productive collaboration for the benefit of biodiversity which benefits the sustainability of wildlife.
President of FACE Europe Gilbert De Turckheim thanked the Minister for his constructive presentation and agreed that the key to success was to progress through cooperation. Other topics discussed were habitat, conservation, biodiversity, migratory birds, large carnivores such as the wolf, and the international trade in endangered species and fauna. The attendees rounded off their stay in Ireland with a visit to the Burren National Park, and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, followed by a game dinner of locally sourced pheasant, venison, and pigeon!
Posted March 30, 2013
Author/photographer/foxhunter Noel Mullins is a retired computer marketing executive in Ireland. Visit his website for more of his photographs, writings, and books.