In Northern Ireland, the long-running political obsession with hunting has once again returned to the fore. Having previously failed to secure sufficient support for a ban, despite strong opposition from Countryside Alliance Ireland, John Blair MLA has brought the issue back before the Assembly. Why this remains such a political priority for some remains unclear to many in rural communities, particularly at a time when households are grappling with rising costs and pressure on public services. However, after Sinn Féin voted in April's Ard Fheis, by a narrow margin, to support a ban, the issue has returned to the political agenda once again.
There is no justification for legislation to restrict or prohibit hunting with hounds. John Blair's Bill seems to go further, however, and is significantly more far-reaching than previous iterations, including the 2021 proposal. In particular, the expanded definition of “hunting” and the definition of “participation” are drafted in a way that means the Bill could extend well beyond just a ban on hunting and risks impacting a wide range of legitimate countryside activities involving dogs, including shooting and even dog walking.
Countryside Alliance Ireland launched a major campaign encouraging people to contact their MLAs to express their opposition to the proposed Bill, and also commissioned a detailed legal opinion from former Northern Ireland Attorney General John Larkin. Mr Larkin supported concerns already raised by the Alliance, arguing that the Bill was drafted too broadly and could potentially have unintended consequences, including affecting ordinary dog owners and creating difficulties for farmers seeking to control vermin such as rats using terriers.
In May, representatives and members from Countryside Alliance Ireland, alongside those from the Fermanagh Harriers and East Antrim Hounds, attended Stormont with hounds to raise concerns directly with politicians and the media. There was widespread coverage on news channels.
The debate continues. At the second reading of John Blair’s Bill on Tuesday, MLAs voted for the legislation to proceed to the next stage, despite stark warnings from campaigners and NI's former Attorney General that the legislation would be devastating for rural communities.
The Northern Ireland Assembly's AERA committee has now secured an extension to its scrutiny of the Hunting with Dogs Bill until 5 February 2027, a move that will be welcomed by many across the countryside who have consistently argued that such far-reaching legislation should not be rushed. The extension provides an important opportunity not only to examine whether the Hunting with Dogs Bill is legally sound and practically workable, but also to ask the more important question of whether Northern Ireland needs it at all.
Only time will tell what will happen to the Hunting with Dogs Bill, but rest assured, Countryside Alliance Ireland will be fighting the ban every step of the way.