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An ex-Irish Farmers Association president who gave his backing to the pro-bloodsports RISE campaign is the new chairman of Fine Gael’s “National Agricultural, Food and Rural Development Forum”.
Agriland is this week reporting that “Eddie Downey has been chosen to head a new forum within Fine Gael on agriculture and rural affairs.”
He was quoted as saying “What we need to do with this [forum] is connect rural Ireland, plus the agricultural sector, to the Oireachtas.” https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/former-ifa-president-downey-to-head-new-fine-gael-agriculture-forum/
Downey’s support for hunting was highlighted by ICABS in 2013. We reported that he was photographed shaking hands with hunters in County Meath and thanking them for their support after he was elected IFA president - a position from which resigned in 2015.
See - IFA president Downey quits after €2m deal disclosure https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ifa-president-downey-quits-after-2m-deal-disclosure-1.2444070
Previously, as deputy president of the IFA, Downey was one of the speakers at a 2010 RISE gathering in Waterford which protested against the Green Party's work to ban carted deer hunting.
In a statement headed "Pro-hunting campaign welcomes farming support", the RISE group claimed at the time that "Vice President of the Irish Farmers’ Association, Eddie Downey, has given his organisation’s support to the campaign. Mr Downey said the campaign to defend hunting and other traditional rural sports was an integral part of the wider battle to defend rural Ireland."
According to a foxhunting website: "Eddie is a great supporter of hunting, shooting and fishing."
Downey was also a chairman of pro-bloodsports IFA Countryside. In a past message on its website, he stated: "As Chairman of IFA Countryside and Deputy President of IFA, I meet people outside farming all the time who live, work and enjoy the countryside. Many of these people are involved in rural pursuits such as walking, fishing and hunting. Rural people have a great interest and place great value on the environment and in recent years there has been a growing awareness of rural activities. Many people visit farmland as guests to enjoy their field sports such as walking, fishing or hunting."
A majority in Ireland are in favour of a ban on fox hunting and hare coursing - as confirmed by a 2019 RED C opinion poll. It showed that 77% want the government to ban fox hunting (with just 12 per cent against a ban) and 77% are in favour of a ban on hare coursing (with just 9% against a ban).
ACTION ALERT
Contact Fine Gael and party leader Leo Varadkar TD and urge them to respect the wishes of the majority of Irish citizens who want fox hunting and hare coursing banned.
Fine Gael Headquarters
51 Upper Mount Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01-619 8444
Email: finegael@finegael.ie
Leo Varadkar TD
Leader, Fine Gael
Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
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