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Northern Ireland politician John Blair MLA has this week reaffirmed his commitment to securing a ban on cruel fox hunting in Northern Ireland.
Speaking in Stormont at the launch of an Ulster SPCA report on illegal badger baiting, the Alliance Party representative for South Antrim repeated his intention to introduce another bill aimed at banning the hunting of foxes with hounds.
It was highlighted at the USPCA report launch that badger baiting thugs are using fox hunting as a cover for their illegal activities, with a spokesperson pointing out that “those engaged in illegal badger baiting can claim that they are legally hunting foxes.”
A ban on fox hunting would not only save foxes from suffering but also help prevent persecution of badgers.
Mr Blair's latest pledge follows a statement in December 2022 in which he said: “A ban on hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland is long overdue. At the earliest opportunity, I intend to reintroduce my Private Members’ Bill to outlaw the practice.”
Mr Blair originally introduced the “Hunting of Wild Mammals Bill” in the Northern Ireland Assembly in December 2021 but it was narrowly defeated with 38 voting in favour of it and 45 voting against. The bill aimed to outlaw not only fox hunting but all forms of hunting wild animals with dogs, including deer hunting, hare hunting and terrierwork.
These activities involve horrendous animal cruelty – the deer, foxes and hares are chased by dogs and attacked and brutally killed when caught.
Among those who shamefully voted against it were 25 Sinn Fein MLAs and 19 Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLAs.
Sinn Fein’s vote against the bill came despite an assurance from party president Mary Lou McDonald TD in February 2020 that “Sinn Fein is opposed to foxhunting”.
In her email to ICABS, Deputy McDonald added: “We will vote in favour of a ban at the next opportunity.”
A ban on hunting with hounds would be widely welcomed in Northern Ireland. A Survation opinion poll commissioned by the League Against Cruel Sports found that 83% want deer hunting with dogs banned and 76% want fox hunting and hare hunting banned. In the Republic of Ireland, there is also majority support for a ban. A RED C poll commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports confirmed that 77% of people want the government to ban fox hunting.
ACTION ALERT
Contact Mary Lou McDonald TD and ask why, despite an assurance that her party is “opposed to foxhunting” and would “vote in favour of a ban at the next opportunity”, Sinn Fein MLAs voted against the bill. Urge the party to respect the wishes of the majority, reverse its current pro-bloodsports stance and pledge support for a ban on fox hunting in Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Mary Lou McDonald TD
President, Sinn Fein
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD
Sinn Féin Head Office
44 Cearnóg Pharnell
Dublin 1, Ireland
Phone: 01 8726100
Email: admin@sinnfein.ie
Download a copy of the USPCA's badger baiting report
https://www.uspca.co.uk/uspca-launches-badger-baiting-report