Stop the Poisoning of Eagles in Ireland (SPÉIR)

flo8s967qjh0nd

If you think the poisoning of recently re-introduced birds of prey by indiscriminate farmers is wrong. Please add your name to the following petition organised by the Golden Eagle Trust.
Also, forward the petition to anyone you think may be interested in signing.

Resolution:
We the undersigned wish to see Eagles live safely in Ireland once more and call for the use of indiscriminate poisoned meat baits to be banned completely by legislation and anyone found poisoning Irish Eagles to face all sanctions and legal consequences that already exist under the current legislation and grant payment schemes.


Use this link to sign the petition.



From www.goldeneagle.ie

Poisoning has been widely used by recent generations to kill foxes and crows, where they were perceived as a threat to livestock. Nowadays the vast majority of farmers use discriminate control methods. But the use of indiscriminate poisons (including the misuse of herbicides and other chemicals) lingers on among a small number of landowners. Poisoning has now been proven to be a real threat to the national effort, funded by Irish tax payer's money, to restore our native Irish Eagles.

Since 2007, it has been confirmed that 5 White-tailed Eagles, 1 Golden Eagle and 2 Red Kites have been poisoned illegally. We strongly suspect several other birds have been poisoned but have not been recovered.

Poisoning regulations clearly state that people using poison must erect poisoning signs and notify the local Gardai in writing. Yet none of the dead Eagles were found on land signposted as being laced with poison and we believe few Garda station have been informed in writing where poison is being laid, as required by law. Several of the birds ate poisoned dead livestock - it is illegal to knowingly leave dead livestock above ground under Animals By-products regulations. The types of poison used were used in breach of their respective uses under the use of chemical legislation.

We believe it is also unacceptable that individual landowners, receiving Rural Environment Payment Scheme and Single Farm Payment grants should feel entitled to use poisoned meat baits. This is a clear breach of the obligations and rationale contained within these schemes and grants should be withheld were bad farming practices occur.

We have lobbied for changes regarding poisoning legislation for the last 10 years. The Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government have made regulatory changes but the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries has yet to adopt simple legislative changes to protect Irish Eagles, working dogs and pets and indeed minimise the risk to humans. The current "light regulation" of poisoning in Ireland is simply killing Eagles and threatening their long awaited return.

We believe Eagles can co-exist with modern farming practices, as happens elsewhere across Europe. We ask you to add your voice to the view that Ireland once again cherishes its Eagles and that indiscriminate, illegal and reckless poisoning is no longer acceptable. Whilst we would like to highlight the enormous support the Eagle project receives from the large majority of landowners, farmers and gun clubs, we must stress that the ongoing actions of a small minority of individuals is currently putting the future of Irish White-tailed Eagles and Golden Eagles at risk. Apart from the ecological benefits these species bring, we would suggest that the ongoing poisoning of Irish Eagles will damage Ireland's Agri-food and tourism profile across markets in Europe.

roweeeeena

You might want to post this on the nature and bird watching forum as well.

EGAR

I've signed. I am disgusted.