eoin.d wrote: »

Yes alot of rubbish posted by people before the last election about sinn fèin being anti hunting

mcbain087 wrote: »

That report shows that amongst other species, the woodpigeon isn't under threat, it has said so for many years and this report was last updated in 2018....so realistically if they used this info they didn't have grounds for such a change.
I am open to any correction but feel the minister had her ear bent by someone and also npws asked for feedback and data regarding derogation of certain species with submissions to be returned before 10th Jan 2020, this request was on their site for the last year. This I hadn't seen in past years and some data must have been returned to prompt this situation to be addressed.
This returned data is what should have influenced change and I would like to see them produce it for public scrutiny.
Dont think we will get clarification but I am happy with the reversal.
This should be our warning to keep vigilant to the small things in npws that can have huge implications for the future.

J.R. wrote: »

https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/general/art-9-declaration-may-2020-apr-2021-state-wide.pdf

Chiparus wrote: »

For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 27 May, 2020.

* To ask the Minister for Culture; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the scientific grounds on which she refused to sign the derogation permit in 2020 which allows farmers to shoot pigeons as part of their crop protection.
- Chris Andrews T.D.
REPLY

I signed the Wild Birds State Wide Declaration last month for the period 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021 which allows the killing and capturing of certain wild bird species where they are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety. The Declaration allowed for the shooting of wood pigeon to prevent serious damage to arable crops except for the months of June, July and August this year. As in previous years the renewal of the Declaration was the subject of consultation with relevant stakeholders such as hunting, conservation and farming bodies as well as the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department.
I made the decision at the time taking account of scientific advice provided as part of the consultation. This raised concerns about the full year inclusion in the Declaration of wood pigeon on the basis that there is limited evidence to suggest that wood pigeon cause “serious damage” to crops during the summer. It was submitted that there is a lack of comprehensive studies into wood pigeon damage to crops to inform the decision to allow for year-round derogations for their control. Studies of wood pigeon food preference in Ireland from 2013 have shown that in spring, the diet of wood pigeons is dominated by fruit and seeds of trees (Ivy). In summer, the diet is variable and consists of a relatively equal proportion of cereal grains, clover and weed material.

This 2013 study further highlighted that cereal crops were only the preferred food during the autumn months (defined as August–October in the study). Based on current cropping systems, these crops were most likely consumed post-harvest i.e. harvest spillage left on stubble fields. While the derogation is given to ‘prevent serious damage to crops’ there is limited evidence to suggest ‘serious damage’ to crops occurs during the summer period. It was also indicated that shooting of wood pigeon during summer months could have indirect adverse effects on other species such as stock dove and it was recommended that there is a need to “undertake a contemporary review of the species interaction with crops with respect to damage”

Pending such a review, and on the basis of available literature and the “precautionary principle”, I considered it appropriate at the time that the wood pigeon would be removed from the Declaration for the summer months – June, July and August 2020.

At the same time, I recognised that if wood pigeons were seen to cause damage to crops during the summer, landowners could still avail of Section 42 permits under the Wildlife Acts i.e. permits, on a case by case basis, to prevent serious damage caused by individual species on specific lands.

Since the Declaration was signed last month I have considered the matter further in consultation with farming sector interests who raised concerns about the exclusion of the wood pigeon from the Declaration during the June to August period on the basis of damage to crop yield, damage to crops making them difficult to harvest and also faecal contamination.

In the circumstances and in light of potential damage highlighted by farming sector interests, I took the view that consideration of changing the status quo by removing the wood pigeon from the Declaration during this year’s summer could benefit from further information and studies.

Accordingly, I have decided that the status quo be reinstated for the wood pigeon this year i.e. that lethal means would be available to landowners during the three summer months June, July and August to prevent crop damage. I have signed a revised Declaration to this effect. Additionally, the issue of wood pigeon damage to crops during the summer months will be examined with a view to considering this issue in the 2021/22 year. A reply will issue to all correspondence received in my office on this matter.

mcbain087 wrote: »

The minister is Josepha Madigan as signed at bottom on the derogation.
For all corvid dates go on to the npws.ie site and look at the state wide declaration.

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Whats the betting this study was indeed a EU continental or UK study?
If this is the case,its "one size fits all" study,which shows again the fallacy of Brussels(orLondon) and Dublin thinking on such issues.Because crows arent common in Germany and France and low in Britan doesnt mean they arent plentiful in Poland or Ireland.But to a tame wildlife biologist sitting in an office in Brussels doing a tabletop study,it is a proable assumption that they are low all over the EU then .Ergo they need to be protected all over Europe.Hence we end up with this nonsense.

Remember submissions and consultations might have to he recived and opened.Doesnt mean they have to, or will be acted on either.We have seen that enough times here with firearms lawsand globally to be fooled by that chimera.

Woodpigeon numbers have shown an overall increasing trend since the late 1990s. However, numbers have begun to decline since 2010 which has resulted in the declining trend shown for the recent short term. The European trend is also increasing. Numbers in Ireland have been estimated at 2.8 million individuals.


Woodpigeon is not of conservation concern in Ireland or at a European scale and it has been classified as Secure

Damage to livestock: Magpie, Hooded Crow. Control is between December and May, during the peak lambing and calving period.
· Damage cereal crops: Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Rook. Control is between November and May, during the early growth phases of the crop.
· Damage livestock feedlots: Jackdaw, Rook. Control is between November and May, during the period when livestock are housed and/ or fed large amounts of supplementary meal

“clarification in relation to shooting of wood pigeon on stubble fields (crops already harvested)”, as “[t]his is widely occurring and should be specifically mentioned as to whether it is permitted or not to rule out any confusion by those partaking in the activity.”

The derogation is being abused in relation to Woodpigeon which is subject to widespread recreational shooting for local and tourist hunters during the height of their breeding period.
· Better enforcement is needed. For example, rookeries are being targeted, the timing of which would be outside the period of control for this species.

Woodpigeon can be controlled year round and the others in all months other than January - no change necessary

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Studies of wood pigeon food preference in Ireland from 2013 have shown that in spring, the diet of wood pigeons is dominated by fruit and seeds of trees (Ivy). In summer, the diet is variable and consists of a relatively equal proportion of cereal grains, clover and weed material.

Ivy,is not a native plant to Ireland,it is proably also the most damaging invasive plant,next to Japanese knotweed to trees,and any structure or building it crawls over. If wood pigeons are a vector for spreading it's seeds,isn't that all the more a good reason to keep their numbers in check too?

Capercaillie wrote: »

Ivy was introduced to Ireland by whom?
Magpie are native.

It is believed that magpies were first recorded in Wexford in 1676 when up to a dozen flew across the Irish sea from Britain. Breeding in Dublin was first noted in 1852.

Capercaillie wrote: »

Ivy was introduced to Ireland by whom?
Magpie are native.

They were not introduced by people, they came themselves. They are deemed native, similar to more recent species to arrive like collared dove and reed warbler.

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Still non native and invasive tho going by the definitions...Or is that definition a moveable feast??