We don’t want fox hunts on our farms

In recent weeks articles have appeared in a number of newspapers and magazines that seem to glorify fox hunting, an activity that involves people riding roughshod over the rights and livelihoods of farmers.

I would remind the writers of such pieces that breaking and entering and vandalising anybody’s property — activities associated with fox hunting — is a criminal offence.

A farmer I know has still not been paid for the loss of his pedigree herd of sheep that were destroyed following the local fox hunts incursion. The loss of this herd has been valued at over €30,000 by his local auctioneer and I can publish this valuation on request.

In 2012 almost all farmers are commercial. They have high input costs and are dependant for their livelihoods on a high return from their crops, livestock, milk, beef and lamb.

No farmer wants his work on his important fences destroyed and vandalised. No farmer wants his livestock terrorised even in sheds and his crops and early grass trampled into the ground.

We appeal to the Government to do us all a favour: ban fox hunting in Ireland as in the UK. At present the farmers and agricultural sector are saving this country. A farm is for the production of food not for the unspeakables in fancy dress engaged in their destructive recreation and pursuit of wily uneatables.

Today, the country is full of equestrian centres offering all kinds of horsey excitement and drag hunting. Are the fox hunts too poor or too mean to join them? Or is it that they so desperately need the thrill of riding roughshod over the rights of the croppy farmer?

Most of us farmers do not want the fox hunt on our land. We do have the right to stop people destroying and vandalising our fences, crops and livestock. We ask hunts to quit provoking or verbally abusing farmers. I would remind them that the farmer holds a vermin licence that allows him to shoot dogs not on a lead that he sees as a threat to his livestock.

Let me say here in all sincerity that we farmers do not want to shoot anyone’s dog but we cannot allow our animals to suffer because of irresponsible owners. People have a duty to keep their dogs under control.

To fox hunting people we say: Stay off our land. We croppies will not lie down.

Philip P Lynch

Chairman, Farmers Against Foxhunting And Trespass

Callan

Co Kilkenny