Minister Poots announces temporary ban on wildfowling

ENVIRONMENT Minister Edwin Poots has confirmed that shooting certain species of wildfowl will be temporarily suspended because of the severe weather across Northern Ireland.

Species such as ducks, geese and shore waders are having difficulty feeding in the current freezing conditions, threatening the birds’ natural survival.

The suspension came into force from 8.00 am on Thursday 7 January 2010 under the Wildlife Order and will last for 14 days with a review after seven days.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and Countryside Alliance Ireland have been consulted on the suspension and are supportive of this unprecedented measure.

The Minister said: “The recent spell of freezing weather conditions has been particularly hard on wildfowl throughout the UK and I have decided that a temporary suspension of the shooting season for these species should be introduced immediately.

“It has been encouraging to note the responsible attitude shown by shooting organisations such as BASC and Countryside Alliance Ireland who had asked their membership to exercise a voluntary ban on shooting prior to this decision.”