Ban on hare coursing is lifted in Kilkenny
By COLIN BARTLEY
HARE Coursing can resume in Kilkenny after agreement was struck to allow the sport proceed for the 2020 season.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Department of Agriculture said they will allow netting of hares for coursing “on a managed and restricted basis”.
In August, all coursing and coursing activity was banned after a number of cases of a virus, Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD2), deadly to hares and rabbits, were recorded. That suspension has now been lifted by Culture Minister Josepha Madigan.
Kilkenny TD Bobby Aylward welcomed the agreement reached between the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) and Minister Madigan allowing coursing resume.
“I am glad the Minister has taken a common-sense approach in lifting the ban. She has imposed some conditions and four clubs will be asked to engage in an observation and monitoring program which will be veterinary supervised.
“This is very welcome as they will be in a position to alert the authorities if any issues arise or if they believe the virus to be a threat to the hare population.”
A ban on capturing hares within a 25km radius of where either hares or rabbits have tested positive for RHD2 remains in place in counties Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Leitrim, Meath, Wexford and Wicklow.
