NEWS

International Events


FALCONRY - 4000 YEARS OF A HUNTING ART

The President of the European Parliament's Sustainable Hunting Intergroup, Véronique Mathieu, will join the International Association of Falconry and FACE, the European Federation for Hunting & Conservation to celebrate this unique international exhibition in the heart of Europe on Tuesday, 6th November, 2012 18:30 to 20:30. The IHC has been invited to attend this event.

IAF AGM 2012, Kearney, Nebraska, USA, November 18-23

Czech international falconry meeting-Opocno castle, Oct.10th-14th 2012

DFO 2012 falconry meeting, Meerbusch, Germany, Oct.17-21



Third International Falconry Fesitval – December 2011 – Ail Ain, United Arab Emirates
The IHC attended the Third International Falconry Festival to be held at Al Ain, United Arab Emirates between December 8th to 17th, 2011. Four committee members attended – two National Reps from the Republic of Ireland and two National Reps from Northern Ireland. In addition Hilary White, Journal Editor was invited to assist in manning the IAF tent and artist and falconer Shay O’Byrne, was shortlisted in the fine art competition with his oil painting of a peregrine on a pheasant kill and won first prize in his category with £500 (sterling). 
 

International Association of Falconry and the Conservation of Birds of Prey – AGM 2011
The IAF AGM was held in Al Ain, United  Arab Emirates in December 2011. Eoghan Ryan, IHC President represented the IHC and was actively engaged in proposed changes to the IAF constitution.  A key focus was on the new business plan for the IAF with proposals to set up a permanent office/base in Brussels.


 UNESCO Recognition of Falconry as an Intangible Cultural Heritage
The largest ever nomination in the history of the UNESCO convention was originally inscribed on 16th November, 2010 by 11 nations:  Belgium, the Czech
Republic, France, Mongolia, Morrocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Syria and the
United Arab Emirates (leader of the nomination). UNESCO recognises that communities, indigenous communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals, play an important role in the production, safeguarding, maintenance and re-creation of the intangible cultural heritage, thus helping to enrich cultural diversity and human creativity.  In a modern face paced world, UNESCO seeks to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, and particular those arts and activities that are best paced on from one generation to the next through direct demonstration – showing by example – as opposed to learning through other mediums. Falconry is an excellent example of such an activity.  It also unites nations through a common and shared interest.


 Licenses for Visiting Falconers
In response to recent representation by the IHC to the Department, we have now been informed that all visiting falconers to the Republic of Ireland – including falconers from Northern Ireland - should ensure that they have a falconry license issued by the National Parks & Wildlife Service.  The cost  is€12.70.


 The Peregrine Survey
The results of the Peregrine Survey (2000) were finally published  in 2009 and indicate that it is now estimated that population has increased with approximately 390 occupied breeding territories throughout the Republic.  Anecdotal evidence of some falconers would put the number even higher, as for example, the study found that there were 2 occupied sites in CountyOffaly – the first recorded by the NPWS – when in fact more are known.  
 

Northern Ireland Legislative Changes
In Spring, 2010, the IHC made a formal submission on the Northern Ireland Environment’s Agency’s review of the Northern Ireland Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill (NIA 5/09), with a particular focus on issues that might have a negative impact on the practice of falconry.


IHC Honorary Member, Christine de Coune 
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Christine de Coune in 2011. Christine, a Belgian, was a very strong advocate of falconry and had done
tremendous work at international and European level to ensure that wildlife legislation and CITES regulations respected the sustainable use of natural resources, including the use of raptors for falconry purposes. He was ever vigilant and kept an important watchful eye on anything that might impact on falconry, providing an invaluable role to falconers world wide.