Hunting bill ‘ill-informed attack’ on Irish rural life

A proposed bill to ban foxhunting in the Republic of Ireland has sparked strong opposition from Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI). The alliance has branded the move an “ideological and ill-informed attack on rural life.”

So what is the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill?

The Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025, introduced by Dublin West TD Ruth Coppinger, seeks to outlaw the hunting of wild mammals with dogs.

Although the bill passed its first reading in the Dáil, the Irish Government has confirmed it will oppose the legislation at its second stage—making its defeat highly likely.

CAI responds: “detached from rural realities”

CAI director Gary McCartney criticised the proposed bill to ban foxhunting, calling it “detached from the realities of rural Ireland.”

“Foxhunting is not a sport of the elite; it is a time-tested means of managing wildlife vital to the protection of livestock and the rural economy,” he said.

Foxhunting’s role in wildlife and livestock protection

Red foxes are known threats to lambs, poultry, and ground-nesting birds. CAI notes that few non-lethal alternatives exist, making foxhunting a practical solution for wildlife management in rural areas.

The organisation also highlighted hunting’s social role in uniting rural communities across both the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Warning against policy division across Ireland

CAI warns that if similar legislation were introduced in Northern Ireland, it could lead to a fragmented policy landscape across the island.

“We urge Stormont and Westminster to take heed of the Irish Government’s rejection of this politicised and impractical proposal,” McCartney said.