Countryside Alliance Ireland is calling on all members engaged in fox control and rural land management to support the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in its ongoing Foxline initiative. This important programme plays a key role in protecting animal and public health across Northern Ireland, and your participation can make a real difference.
The Foxline scheme is part of DAERA’s wider surveillance work to monitor and understand the presence of Trichinella and Echinococcus, two parasites that can be found in wild foxes and pose potential risks to livestock, domestic animals, and even humans. Through the testing of fox carcasses collected via the scheme, DAERA’s veterinary teams can detect early signs of disease and implement control measures where necessary, helping to safeguard rural communities and the wider environment.
Countryside Alliance Ireland has long championed the responsible management of wildlife as an integral part of a healthy countryside. Programmes such as Foxline demonstrate the positive contribution that country sportsmen and women make toward conservation, biosecurity, and animal health. By simply reporting and submitting any shot foxes for collection, members can assist in building a more accurate picture of wildlife health across Northern Ireland.
Participation is straightforward. If you have shot foxes available for collection, you can contact the Foxline directly on 028 7744 2399, or email rtabadger@daera-ni.gov.uk. DAERA staff will arrange collection and ensure all necessary testing is completed efficiently and professionally. There is no cost to those taking part, and every sample adds to the valuable data informing national and regional disease monitoring efforts.
Taking part in Foxline is not only a practical way to support science-based wildlife management, but also a means of reinforcing the reputation of the rural community as responsible custodians of the countryside. Each contribution strengthens the case for sustainable shooting and responsible pest control as vital components of a balanced ecosystem.
Countryside Alliance Ireland encourages all members to get involved and to share information about the Foxline scheme with others in their networks. Working together, we can help ensure that our countryside remains a living, working, and thriving landscape, valued by everyone and protected for future generations.
For more details, visit www.daera-ni.gov.uk.