AQW 27595/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 16/12/2021
Answered On Date: 13/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for his assessment of the impact of hunting with dogs on biodiversity preservation and wildlife conservation.

Answer:

Hunting with hounds by organised mounted or foot-pack hunts is not seen as a major activity in Northern Ireland. However, there is uncertainty about the levels of activity by unregistered foot-pack hunts. The Department has no data on numbers of wild animals killed, although it is not perceived to be detrimental to overall populations. Similarly, the Department does not hold data regarding impacts on biodiversity preservation.

As with any form of hunting, there is risk of non-target species being caught, and potential disturbance to protected sites. Equally, there may be a need for predator control to protect vulnerable species or wider biodiversity. This is particularly relevant to protect threatened ground-nesting birds such as curlew, lapwing and even hen harrier from nest predation by foxes.