Temporary suspension of wildfowling to continue

Due to the prolonged period of severe freezing weather across Northern Ireland, the shooting of certain species of wildfowl has been temporarily suspended since Thursday 7 January 2010.

The suspension, brought into force under Article 4(10) of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985, has a requirement to be reviewed after seven days. It will continue through to 8.00am on 20 January 2010.

Species such as ducks, geese and shore waders have been coping with the severe weather since the first snow falls on 20 December 2009. In severe conditions they find great difficulty feeding in the frozen ground or where waters have frozen on lakes and rivers. While a thaw has been evident in parts in the east of Northern Ireland some weather stations reported snow lying while other stations were still recording minimum overnight grass temperatures of below freezing on the 12 January 2010.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has received reports from their Regional Staff which confirm that ground and water conditions remain harsh. The Agency has discussed the ground conditions and the need to continue the temporary shooting ban with the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), and the Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI), both of which agree that with the continuing hard weather and in the interests of protecting wildfowl the suspension of shooting should continue.

Notes to Editors:

1. Species covered by the Order are:

Curlew Duck, Tufted Gadwall Goldeneye Goose, Canada Goose, Grey-lag Goose, Pink footed Mallard Pintail Plover, Golden Pochard Scaup Shoveler Teal Wigeon

2. Wildfowling is the practice of shooting ducks, geese, or other waterfowl for sport or food.

3. The suspension, brought into force under article 4(10) of the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985, lasts for 14 days and has been reviewed after seven days. The arrangements for the introduction of a suspension in Northern Ireland were established in January 2001 and agreed with the Council for Nature Conservation and Countryside (CNCC), the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Countryside Alliance.

4. All media enquiries should be directed to DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.