IFA Countryside

Reacting to the confirmation by the Department of Agriculture today, that a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (bird flu) was detected in a wild bird in Limerick, IFA President Tim Cullinan urged poultry farmers to be particularly vigilant.

“The announcement was not unexpected given the detection of the disease in the UK last week. I urge poultry farmers to be especially vigilant and to review their biosecurity practices,” he said.

“IFA participated in a Department briefing today, and we have updated all of our poultry members reminding them of the measures they should take to protect their flock. Strict bio-security measures are observed in both egg production and broiler farms in Ireland, but flock owners must be especially vigilant at this time and for the coming winter months,” he said.

“The risk is not confined to large-scale commercial production, but also to the many thousands of so-called ‘back yard flocks’. All flock owners should feed and water birds inside or under cover to ensure that wild birds cannot access the feed or water,” he said.

He noted that while avian influenza represents a significant threat to the poultry industry, the risk to public health is very low, and the disease poses no food safety risk for consumers.

Tim Cullinan concluded by calling on authorities on both sides of the Irish border to work closely together on monitoring and decision-making relating to this animal disease issue.

Ends.

The following Press Release was published on the Garda.ie website on Thursday 29^th October.

IFA Countryside has written to the Minister of Justice seeking clarification and pending a response, we advise our members to adhere to all COVID-19 regulations.

What about pheasant shooting during Level 5?
 Pheasant shooting season begins on Sunday 1st November. This normally involves shooting club members travelling to pheasant shoots around the country, frequently in groups, and is regarded as sport shooting.

Under the current regulations (SI 448), sporting events must be organised under the structure/ licence of a national governing body, funded by Sport Ireland. As such, sport shooting is prohibited in any other circumstances.

Recreational hunting does not fall under any of the exemptions allowed for exercise or sporting events. It has also been clarified that recreational hunting does not come under any permissible exemptions for travel outside of the home.

Shooting of vermin (rats/foxes/crows) is permissible as an essential support service to the farming and agriculture profession.

Source: https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/what-about-pheasant-shooting-during-level-5-.html

As of midnight Wednesday 21 October, all of Ireland will be placed on Level 5 of the plan; Living with COVID.  Level 5 restrictions will remain in place for a period of 6 weeks.

IFA Countryside has written to the Government seeking clarification on restrictions as they relate to game hunting and we await a response.

In the meantime, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with Level 5 restrictions https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/.  Breaches of COVID-19 regulations will be penalised.

It is our understanding that placing the country at level 5 restrictions will have the following implications for country sport activities:

• People are permitted to exercise within a radius of 5km of their home. There will be a penalty from movement outside of 5km of your home. There are certain defined exceptions including for farming purposes ie food production and/or care of animals.  See full list here
• It is possible to meet with one other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden, such as a park, for exercise.
• When taking exercise outside, it is important to maintain two metres distance from others and washing hands on returning home.
• There should be NO organised indoor or outdoor events ie no club or syndicate gatherings

On the above framework, one concludes that an individual may engage in country sport activities, along with another person in a 5 km radius of their home.  Individuals must behave responsibly adhering to social distancing, mask wearing and sanitising.

The key points affecting country sport activities and COVID-19 regulations surround the requirement for people to remain within their own county and groups are limited to 15 people gathering outside.  Clubs and syndicates are reminded to ensure members are fully aware of the COVID-19 measures in place before undertaking any activity.

Covid-19 Current Measures

The Government has introduced measures to control the spread of COVID-19. You should continue to follow advice on how you can protect yourself and others, including advice on social distancing.

Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan will move to Level 4 from midnight Thursday 15 October. You can see how see how these measures apply in these counties by clicking here.

The rest of the country remains at Level 3 until midnight Tuesday 27 October but midnight Thursday 15 October, you can no longer have visitors to your home or garden except for compassionate or caring purposes. You can see how these measures apply in these counties by clicking here.

Level 4 Restrictions for Social and family gatherings in your home or garden.

You cannot have visitors from outside your own household.

Other settings outside your home or garden. No social or family gatherings should take place in other settings.

Level 4 Restrictions for Organised indoor gatherings

No organised indoor gatherings should take place. For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).

Level 4 Restrictions Organised outdoor gatherings

Gatherings of up to 15 people can take place outdoors. For example: outdoor arts events or training events.

Level 3 Restrictions for Social and family gatherings in your home or garden

You should not have visitors from outside your household.

No visitors to home or garden, with the exception of visits for essential purposes (for example: family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, and in particular those who live alone).

Other settings outside your home or garden

In outdoor settings away from your home or garden, up to 6 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet while maintaining strict physical distancing – including for outdoor exercise and dining.These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager.

For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).

No organised indoor gatherings should take place.

Level 3 Organised outdoor gatherings

These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager. For example: outdoor arts events, training events.

Gatherings of up to 15 people can take place.

IFA National Hill Committee Chairman Flor McCarthy has encouraged farmers to apply for the National Walks Scheme, which will double the number of national walks and benefit up to 2,000 farmers.

The application process is now open to trail management committees, community groups and other similar entities.

At a recent meeting with the Minister for Community and Rural Development, Michael Ring, the Minister confirmed to IFA that the €2m allocated in last October’s Budget will double the funding for the scheme. At present, the Scheme covers 39 trails and benefits 1,900 landowners.

He said that there are a significant number of walks that will be in a position to apply and it is vital that they qualify without delay.  The National Walks Scheme has been a valuable addition to the development of recreational tourism in peripheral areas and supports farmers in the creation of walking routes.

Minister Ring also confirmed to IFA that labour rate for farmers own work in maintaining the walks will increase from €12.50/hr to €13.50/hr.  This will also apply to both existing participants and new participants, including farmers who may be in the middle of their current contracts.

On the national Indemnification Scheme, the Minister confirmed to IFA that the legislation to cover land owners in the event of accident will be published shortly and will be rolled out initially on a pilot basis.