The League Against Cruel Sports has today launched a campaign to end coursing of the Irish hare in Northern Ireland.

Launching the campaign at Malone House Barnett’s Demesne, Belfast, Chief Executive Douglas Batchelor said almost three-quarters of the people of Northern Ireland supported the move.

“This campaign builds on the growing support within Northern Ireland to put an end to a ‘sport’ many see as a disgusting abuse of one of Ireland’s best-loved native species," he said.

"The League will seek to repeat the success of the earlier ‘Save Our Stags’ campaign, which saw carted deer hunting declared illegal in Northern Ireland.

“These poll results are a fresh blow to those who claim coursing as a ‘traditional’ part of Northern Ireland culture. Coursing of the Irish Hare has clearly had its day.”

The poll, carried out by Millward Brown Ulster also found that:

• 84% of people in Northern Ireland regard hare coursing as cruel
• 73% of people living in the countryside want to see an end to hare coursing
• the campaign received support from over two thirds of all people across the religious spectrum.

Also speaking at the press conference was David Ford, leader of the Alliance Party who led a cross party campaign in the Assembly two years ago to secure extra protection for the Irish hare.

He said: "People know that there is no justification for allowing hares to suffer trauma and injury, especially when there is a real threat to the species as a result of environmental change.

"On the grounds of both cruelty and of conservation coursing must be stopped. I'm writing to the Minister to seek her assurance that no licences will be granted in Northern Ireland while she is in office."

The campaign also received messages of support from the UUP's Norah Bear, DUP representative, Jim Wells, the SDLP's Agriculture spokesman PJ Bradley and Jane Morrice of the Northern Ireland Women's Coalition.

(MB)