A young fox. Credit: Dmitry Demidov, Pexels
A bill to ban fox hunting in Ireland has been introduced to the Dáil by People Before Profit–Solidarity Teachta Dála (TD) Ruth Coppinger.
If passed, it would make Ireland the latest in the British Isles to outlaw the controversial practice, following bans in England, Scotland and Wales over two decades ago. Fox hunting is also banned in Luxembourg.
Bill targets “cruel and inhumane” fox hunting practice
Left-wing Coppinger described fox hunting as one of Ireland’s “most inhumane activities,” and said her bill seeks to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Act to make it illegal.
“Foxes are still dug out of the ground and attacked by trained terriers,” she told the Dáil. “They are still chased by packs of dogs, sometimes for hours, and torn apart when caught.” (Cited by RTE.)
“If a domestic animal was treated like this, there would be an outcry.”
She argued that fox hunting causes “unnecessary suffering,” and said there is no justifiable benefit to the activity. She also said her proposed amendment would extend to trail hunting, snaring, and trapping.
A 2019 RED C opinion poll cited by Coppinger, commissioned by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, found 77 per cent of Irish people supported banning fox hunting – including 74 per cent of rural residents. (As reported by Western People.)
Opposition to fox hunting ban from rural TDs in Ireland
Right-wingers, Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins and Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, both opposed the bill at first stage – which Coppinger called “unprecedented.”
Collins said the move would “stifle debate” and claimed foxes are a pest species that threaten farmers and native wildlife.
“There are up to 200,000 foxes in Ireland and they can cause serious concern to many farmers,” he said, adding:
“We’ll be in here next looking to see if we can protect the rat and the mouse. Nobody wants to protect human beings.”
He claimed to have received numerous complaints from rural residents whose poultry or livestock were attacked by foxes.
Healy-Rae, meanwhile, said he had been “inundated” with messages from people across Kerry urging him to oppose the bill.
“The numbers [of foxes] have increased dramatically. They are everywhere – in bins, towns and villages. They’ve taken over.”
Irish government yet to decide on fox hunting ban
Although Independent TDs voiced strong objections, the government has not yet decided on the bill.
Minister of State Mary Butler confirmed that, as with most Private Members’ Bills, it would not be blocked at first stage, but would be formally considered at second stage.
“If and when the bill is listed for second stage, the government will then consider the matter,” she said.
If the bill progresses to the second stage, it will mark the first time a fox hunting ban has reached this level in the Irish parliament.
The debate highlights a growing rural-urban divide on the issue of fox hunting, as well as broader questions about animal welfare.
Should Ireland finally join its neighbours in Europe for banning fox hunting, or is there still a case to preserve it as a form of pest control?
View all news from Ireland.
