Labour to oppose ban on stag hunting

THE LABOUR Party will oppose the proposed legislation to ban stag hunting, it was confirmed last night. The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, to outlaw deer-hunting with packs of dogs, will be debated in the Dáil today and next week.

While a number of Labour TDs previously said they did not support the ban, there is also strong opposition to stag hunting in the party and a formal stance was not adopted until the parliamentary party met on Tuesday evening.

Emmet Stagg of Kildare North, Longford-Westmeath TD Willie Penrose, Kildare South TD Jack Wall and Seán Sherlock of Cork East are among those who do not support a ban.

The party’s environment spokeswoman Joanna Tuffy said Labour had difficulty with Minister for the Environment John Gormley’s approach to the legislation. She said the Bill contained inconsistencies and there were more urgent animal welfare issues. “It’s trophy legislation to mask a lack of achievement,” Ms Tuffy said.

“We wouldn’t go for an all-out ban. A strict licensing system is in place, which was introduced by Michael D Higgins when he was minister.” Fine Gael said it will oppose the Bill and promised to revoke the legislation if elected. A vote on the proposed law is not due until next week.

The Irish Animal Welfare Forum said Labour should support the Bill. “It would be both incredible and cynical in the extreme if the Labour Party were to turn the vote on the Wildlife Amendment Bill into a political football and, in voting against, signalled their support for the continuation of this barbaric practice,” spokeswoman Nuala Donlon said.

“We are calling on Labour especially to take a principled stand.”