Eagles have not been deliberatley targeted, say Kerry sheep farmers

WE the undersigned wish to clarify matters in relation to recent news coverage of the poisoning of white-tailed sea eagles in Kerry.

Mon, 21 Jun, 2010 - 01:00

Letters

This publicity has led to a number of letters by the general public that are potentially damaging to farming interests in Kerry as they give the false impression of the widespread use of poisons.

Sheep farmers in particular have a difficult job to produce lamb reared to high environmental standards while protecting their flock against losses to foxes and crows.

We wish to reiterate that the vast majority of landowners do not use poison to control foxes and crows but now use alternative, safer methods and are careful to adhere to the many regulations with which farmers have to comply under cross-compliance regulations. On behalf of the organisations we represent we wish to state it is our belief that the incidents in Kerry have resulted from accidental poisoning as a result of ingesting poison targeting foxes during the lambing period when foxes are known to take lambs. Thus, contrary to suggestions in some correspondence, eagles have not been deliberately targeted.

Further, we do not now – in fact we never did – condone the use of poison illegally on fallen livestock, or the use of any banned substance.

On the contrary, all our organisations are actively promoting the use of safer alternative means of control.

Farming in upland areas of Co Kerry complies to high environmental standards in order to produce a high quality product.

It is in none of our interests, or the members we represent, to support any activity that would damage this image.

Dennis Carroll

Secretary ICMSA

Co Kerry

James MacCarthy

Chairman IFA

Co Kerry

Gabriel Gilmartin

President Irish Cattle/Sheep Breeders Association