Lessons from CAFRE Hill Farm - But where was John Blair MLA?

Last week, the Irish Farmers Journal reported on a standout biodiversity success story at CAFRE Hill Farm in Glenwherry, Co. Antrim, thanks to effective predator control and habitat management championed by Merlin Becker and the Irish Grouse Conservation Trust (IGCT). The initiative, known as the Glenwherry Hill Regeneration Partnership (GHRP), has seen remarkable wildlife recoveries: today this core area and wider nature recovery zone supports approximately 60 % of Northern Ireland’s grouse, 23 % of curlew, 15 % of Irish hares, and 7 % of lapwing.

IGCT has a hands on approach with Merlin Becker, also head gamekeeper, explained to the Stormont Agriculture Committee that targeted predator control - mainly foxes, hooded crows, rats, stoats - and managed heather mosaic via burning, flailing, and grazing, are central to restoring wildlife balance. He emphasised that using terriers and dogs to flush out foxes, especially in spring, remains vital, accounting for around 30 % of predator control methods at Glenwherry.

It was noted with concern that South Antrim Alliance MLA John Blair, sponsor of a private member’s bill to ban hunting wild mammals with dogs across Northern Ireland and member of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, was absent from the Hill Farm briefing.

The IGCT, as part of their presentations, wanted to show the importance of using dogs in managing predators. Merlin Becker remarked: “He was the main man that I was hoping to be here today. It would have been great to actually show him a lot of the examples.”

Merlin warns that a ban on hunting with dogs would severely hinder predator control, likening Northern Ireland’s potential scenario to Scotland, where similar restrictions have reportedly diminished gamekeeper effectiveness and biodiversity outcomes.

But why no Blair?

• Was Blair uninterested - or ideologically opposed?
  His private member’s bill suggests a principled stance against hunting with dogs - but if the evidence shows such methods help biodiversity, why sidestep field engagement?
• Why turn down invites like hound and puppy shows?
  Public absence from both the Hill Farm open day and community events organised by hunts questions: Is he avoiding dialogue with rural stakeholders and IGCT due to their positive advocacy of dog-based predator control?

This isn’t just a local spat. It highlights a fundamental tension in rural Northern Ireland: the push-and-pull between ethical hunting practices, wildlife conservation, and political policymaking. Proven, science-based predator control using dogs, where it works, is clearly delivering positive results at Glenwherry. So, is the proposed ban a step toward modern wildlife protection… or a misstep rooted in misunderstanding?

What Countryside Voices Are Asking

• Will Blair engage directly with IGCT and gamekeepers to review real-world outcomes field by field before legislating? Sadly, likely not as we have seen before and will likely see again, an attempt to rush legislation through at the end of a mandate with limited time frame to avoid proper scrutiny.
• Should MLAs be required to attend field-based committee sessions like Glenwherry to fully understand rural evidence?

The IGCT’s work at CAFRE Hill Farm is a testament to the effectiveness of integrated predator management including the judicious use of dogs. John Blair MLA’s absence, therefore, was more than a missed field trip: it was a missed opportunity to ground debate in practical results. As his bill progresses, rural communities deserve to know: Was the silence in Glenwherry by choice or caution?