The Hunting Association of Ireland

Dog Breeding Bill

Government Press Statement
Concessions offered to the Greyhound Industry & Hunting Association:

Friday 2nd July 2010

The Dog Breeding Establishment Bill will set out standards required for the welfare of all dogs while protecting our dog industry .This bill will help to enhance our international reputation amongst the dog industry and also prevent any puppy farms from neglecting their dogs.

The Department of Agriculture will amend the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act, to legislate for welfare provisions for members of the Irish Greyhound Board. Once amended, the welfare of IGB registered greyhounds would be addressed through this amended 1958 Act.

Minister John Gormley will delay the signing of the commencement order of the welfare sections of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2009 until 1 January, 2011 to allow for the introduction of these amendments into the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act.

Greyhounds:

• Increased powers to the inspectors of Bord na gCon who will hold joint inspections with Local Authority Inspectors.
• Continue tattooing as the method of traceability
• Veterinary Inspector approval for a fitness cert to allow a bitch to breed more than 3 litters in 3 years if deemed safe.
• Register of Greyhounds to be put on a statutory basis.
• IGB Registered trainers will be exempt from the fee for registration purposes.
• Review of legislation to include all aspects of dog industry.

Hunting Dogs

• Three month consultation with associations prior to regulations being introduced.
• The regulations will be sufficiently flexible to accommodate the needs of specific groupings, that is hunt dogs, for whom it is recognised that communal sleeping facilities are most appropriate.
• Exemption of fees for Hunting Dog kennels.
• Continue tattooing as the method of traceability.
• There will also be a requirement that such tattoos be registered on a database for traceability purposes.
• Review of legislation to include all aspects of dog industry.

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Dick Chapman Huntsman Stonehall Harriers with hounds also Michael O\'Shaughnessy MH, PJ Dore ,Judges Kate Jarvey MFH, Dickie Power with event organizer Tom Geary MH

Harrier Hound Show at Stradbally

National Hound Show Stradbally

Last years National HAI Harrier Show which was held last year in conjunction with the Hunting Festival was be held this year in conjunction with the National Hound Show on Sunday July 4th

For results “read more”
For Foxhound results visit
Foxhound Results
, please see photos

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Latest re Animal Welfare Bill

Update (From RISE)

We are disappointed that we did not secure the exemption of hunt kennels from the Bill, as promised in writing by the Minister, John Gormley TD.

However, we will work constructively with the Government to ensure that the various undertakings given to us yesterday by the Taoiseach are honoured in full. We trust that our concerns will be taken on board at the stage when Regulations under the Bill are being drafted.

Cavan County Council Supports RISE!

Cavan becomes the eighth county council to back RISE!
Posted on June 18, 2010 by Rural Ireland Says Enough!
Cavan county council has become the eighth county council to adopt a motion supporting the RISE! campaign. These motions are being sent directly to the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley TD, and help to convey the depth of anger being felt countrywide at his damaging attacks on hunting and other traditional rural pursuits.

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Wildlife Amendment Bill

Dail passes Wildlife Bill by 75 votes to 72
Posted on June 29, 2010 by Rural Ireland Says Enough!
The Dail has passed all stages of the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill by 75 votes to 72. Mattie McGrath TD (Tipperary South) voted against the Bill, as well as Independents Michael Lowry, Jackie-Healy-Rae and Joe Behan.

Fianna Fail have removed the Party Whip from Deputy McGrath. The Labour Party has removed the Whip from Tommy Broughan TD because he refused to follow a party instruction to vote against the Bill.

The Bill goes to the Seanad tomorrow.

RISE! thanks and salutes all those principled TDs who stood with us tonight.

RISE Campaign

FACE Ireland and the Hunting Association of Ireland have formed RISE! Rural Ireland Says Enough! to campaign at national, regional and local level to mobilise public and political opinion in support of our traditional field sports and rural pastimes. Together, these organisations represent more than 300,000 adherents of country sports.

Rural Ireland says Enough! It is time to draw a clear line, to resist these threats and to promote our traditional rural way of life.

RISE! is supported by people throughout Ireland who value our distinctive and traditional way of life. They are people who wish to conserve and develop a better way of life for themselves, their children and for future generations. How can you help our campaign?

Please click below to the RISE website and sign the petition online or to download a form.

RISE Campaign

HAI Membership

2010 is Membership Year
The Hunting Association of Ireland (HAI) is made up of The Six Hunting with hounds associations and each of those associations pays an annual sub to The HAI which goes some way to the running of The HAI.

Three years ago the associations agreed to form an individual membership section of The HAI which all hunt club members and supporters could join by paying an annual membership fee.
In 2010 our aim is to have a major membership drive. If you support HAI by joining and paying what is a modest annual membership fee, HAI will not only be able to be more efficient at it’s political work but will be able to expand its promotional campaign into the future.

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Hunting DVD's for Sale

Hunting in Ireland DVD’s are available to purchase online, €25.00 including postage.

Hunting in Ireland Volumn 1 – Leinster
The Kildare Foxhounds
The Island Hunt
The Carlow Farmers’ Hunt
The Laois Foxhounds
The Kilkenny Foxhounds

Hunting in Ireland Volumn 2 – Munster

The County Limerick Foxhounds
The Pallaskenry Beagles
The Scarteen – The Black and Tans
The Limerick Harriers
The West Waterford
The Duhallow Foxhounds

Volumn's

Volumn 1 - Leinster €25.00 Volumn 2 - Munster €25.00

New HAI/IFA Countryside Membership Package

HAI have recently had successful negotiations with IFA Countryside to form a partnership between IFA and HAI. This means that for just €55, you can enjoy HAI membership as well as the IFA countryside personal accident insurance package which also includes other benefits. Join online or contact Dickie Power on 0851100645