Ministerial Declarations for the Period May 2020 to April 2021

Under the terms of the EU Birds Directive, all EU member States, including Ireland, are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. The Directive allows Member States to make derogations from its protective measures where certain wild bird species are causing damage to crops, livestock and fauna or represent a threat to public health or safety or to air safety.

The Minister has signed a State-wide Declaration for the 12 month period from 1st May 2020 to 30th April 2021.

Some of the key features of these declarations are as follows:

• Different control methods are allowed for different bird species in different situations
• Three seagull species on the State-wide Declaration are confined to a particular area in North Dublin.
• The use of non-meat based poisoned or unaesthetic bait to control certain species of Pigeon is only allowed under permit from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This permit must be applied for in advance of control action occurring.
• The use of cage traps is allowed as a control method for certain species. Any traps used must comply with the relevant traps and snares regulations, (Wildlife Act 1976 (Approved Traps, Snares and Nets) Regulations 2003
• and Section 35(5) of the Wildlife Act). Further details in declaration attached. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1976/act/39/section/35/enacted/en/html
• The addition of the Common Buzzard to the Air Safety Declaration for Cork Airport.