Thank you sincerely for posting this. It's a pain making these submissions but we need to make sure we're represented.

A few minutes making this submission to the NPWS is worth a thousand posts complaining about the derogation on Facebook.

I've just made my submission. Here it is, if you want any inspiration for your own submission. Let's make sure more of us make submissions so we are represented and to ensure there are no nasty surprises in the derogation this year.

Wildlife Licensing Unit

National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
90 North King Street
Dublin 7 D07 N7CV
Re: Wild Bird Declarations

Dear sir/madam,

Please find my below comments and observations on the wild-birds derogation.
Firstly, I would like to address the necessity of the continuation of a year-round derogation for the shooting of woodpigeons, to prevent serious damage to arable crops. Last year the derogation initially excluded June, July & August for the protection of crops by shooting. This caused a huge amount of stress for farmers to whom I provide wildlife management services. I am aware the that a permission may be issued under section 42 of the wildlife act 1976 amended. The use of a section 42 permission is largely ineffective for the following reasons: pigeons move quickly from one farm to another decimating the crops, it is likely that serious damage will be caused before a section 42 permission can be exercised, the section 42 permission is specific to a particular farmland. As such, those protecting crops must make multiple applications as serious damage to crops is caused.

By maintaining a year-round derogation in the case of woodpigeon causing serious damage to arable crops, farmers will be empowered to protect their livelihoods and pest controllers will be better positioned to perform their duties. The use of the derogation for the woodpigeon is the most equitable solution because it ensures that woodpigeons will only be controlled to prevent “serious damage” to arable crops. Woodpigeon numbers are estimated to be at 2.8 million and the species is not of a conservation concern in Europe or Ireland so the culling of the species for the prevention of serious damage to arable crops will not affect the health of the species (NPWS, 2018, pp.33).
Secondly, I would like to outline the necessity of a year-round derogation for the control of Rooks and Jackdaws to prevent damage to livestock feedlots. Under the current derogation Rooks and Jackdaws may be shot with a rifle or shotgun from the 1st of November 2020 to the 30th of April 2021, to prevent damage to livestock feedlots (NPWS, 2020, p.3). An increasing number of my clients (farmers) are supplementing their cattle with feed from the June to October. This is because of more intensive farming practices; poor quality grazing land and poor beef prices requiring heavier animals for farmers to make a decent livelihood. Given these changes in farming practices, farmers and pest controllers require a year-round derogation for the shooting of Rooks and Jackdaws to prevent damage to livestock feedlots.
I have applied for a permission under section 42 of the wildlife act to prevent serious damage to livestock feedlots for the months outside of the derogation. Although NPWS staff were most helpful, Rooks and Jackdaws caused a large amount of damage before the permission could be issued. Also given the mobile nature of these birds, Rooks and jackdaws tend to move to other farms once shooting begins. This is problematic as the section 42 permission is specific to a particular farmland.

Given the above rational, I am requesting the implementation of a year-round derogation for the shooting of Jackdaws and Rooks to prevent damage to livestock feedlots.

Thirdly, I am requesting that the use of artificial decoys be permitted to aid in the shooting of Magpies, Jackdaws, Hooded Crows and Rooks. Currently the use of decoys for shooting woodpigeons, geese and ducks is permitted under the wildlife act 2000. The prevention of the use of artificial or stuffed decoys to aid in the control of Magpies, Jackdaws, Hooded Crows and Rooks appears nonsensical. The minister may make provision for the shooting of Magpies, Jackdaws, Hooded Crows and Rooks over decoys under the “methods of control” in the birds derogation. The use of artificial decoys deceives the birds to come in closer to the pest controller. This allows the pest controller to execute a more precise shot, leading to the humane dispatch of the animal. This slight alteration to the derogation would greatly help pest controllers perform their job more effectively and humanely.

Given the above reasons I am requesting that the shooting of Magpies, Rooks, Jackdaws and Hooded crows with the aid of artificial decoys be permitted as a method of control under the birds derogation.

J.R. wrote: »

The pigeon man.....That is an excellent submission.

Are you a member of NARGC?....if so sent this submission to them also ...to enable them to raise it in talks.

Send to: John Butler, NARGC Youth Development Officer and Training & Education Sub Committee

john-butler@hotmail.com

I also sent a submission in about the use of decoys.

I'm not a member of the NARGC but it's important that anyone involved in fieldsports makes a submission. You can be guaranteed the vegans and anti hunting crowd will make plenty of submissions. When we stand together as a community we are very strong.

Even if you don't shoot birds listed in the derogation it's important that you make a submission to re-enforce the importance of this derogation, so farmers can protect their livelihoods and pest controllers can do their jobs.

Remember what happened last year with the pigeon shooting. We don't want something like that to happen again.

Done

Thanks for the info mcbain087

minktrapper wrote: »

Where do Fox's and mink fit in to the scheme of things here? As in who gives the say about controlling them.

Are they not classified as vermin whereas all corvids were classified as protected wild birds under some EU stipulation

It might be a case of them needing to be listed as protected wild animals to be protected and no, rats wouldn't be on the list either.

Who would have the authority to put a protection order on vermin if the need arose.

I suppose.

This message is from NARGC


NPWS Derogations Review

The NPWS have extended the time for submission on this very important issue.

If you missed the deadline in January - The door is still open.

They gave no explanation for this late extension. We will demand transparency around this decision.

See Below extract from the NPWS website, on this extension.

News
Extension to Deadline in relation to the Control of Certain Wild Bird Species
Date Released: Thursday, January 28, 2021

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has extended the deadline for members of the public to forward comments/proposals in relation to the control of certain wild bird species.

The new deadline date for comments/proposals to be submitted to the Department is Friday February 19th 2021 at 5pm.

A consultation notice regarding this, including details on where to send submissions, was published on the NPWS website on 16th December 2020.

The current declarations, made by the then Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, allowing for the control of certain wild bird species are due to expire on 30 April 2021.