A General Meeting of the Irish Coursing Club representatives will be held this Thursday, September 19th, in the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Thurles at 6pm to receive an update on the RHD2 virus and to discuss ongoing implications of the current suspension of the netting licence. Clubs are limited to a maximum of 3 members each (to facilitate representation from each club).
The Executive Committee of the Irish Coursing Club has requested the Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine , Mr Pat Deering, to co-ordinate a meeting with the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (welfare) and the National Parks & Wildlife Service (conservation) under the auspices of the Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht. The primary purpose of the meeting is to ensure the continued strong conservation status of the Irish hare against the backdrop of the recent detection of RHD2 in Lagomorphs. The ICC consider they are well placed to make a positive contribution in dealing with this issue given its club network with expert knowledge of the hare. The ICC wish to play a part in finding the best solution by engaging with the appropriate government bodies, researchers and veterinary advisors. The Irish hare continues to enjoy a favourable status and the ICC wishes to continue to do what it does best in terms of conservation.
D.J. Histon