UFU calling for cooperation from huntsmen on farmland

The Ulster Farmers Union has called for cooperation from hunt organisers as the hunting season gets underway.

Deputy president Ivor Ferguson said he is aware of an number of recent incidents in which organisers ignored protocols for hunting with hounds on farmland, with potentially serious consequences for farm businesses.

Earlier this year, a number of ewes suffered miscarriages after they were chased by foxhounds on a stag hunt near Rathfriland.

Owners Alan and Esther Sloane said they faced big losses after the ewes were frightened by up to 16 dogs.

Alan shot three hounds dead and injured up to 10 as he battled to save the sheep. He said huntsmen tried to remove the dead dogs so that their microchips could not be scanned but the dog warden arrived before they were able to do so.

Mr Ferguson said the UFU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2012 with Countryside Alliance Ireland and the Northern Ireland Master of Hounds Association.

“The aim was to set out best practice and a protocol for those hunting with hounds on farmland.  With the full support of hunting organisations, compliance by all individual hunts was encouraged,” he said.

The UFU says it recognises hunting is controversial with some people, but it stresses that its sole interest is in the relationship between hunts and farmers.  It says that while many hunts operate in line with the MOU principles, it is aware of a number of incidents where hunts have ignored the protocol, with potentially serious consequences for farm businesses.

“We accept that for some people hunting with hounds is an important country sport and a part of rural life.  We see the MOU as a constructive way to protect everyone’s interests,” Mr Ferguson said.

“However, if a landowner cannot get an appropriate resolution to an issue regarding a hunt, they should report this issue to Countryside Alliance Ireland.”

Mr Ferguson said the UFU had recently met again with Countryside Alliance and Masters of Hounds to underline the need for farmers and their land and livestock to be treated with respect.

All hunts need to familiarise themselves with the MOU and then adhere to it, he added.

“Working together will ensure that well-organised hunts continue to have access to farmland.  It is certainly not in the interest of hunts that a minority alienate farmers by threatening their stock and their livelihood,”he said.