Debate contribution: Hunting with Dogs Bill: Extension of Committee Stage
Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on .
- MLA
- Mr Robbie Butler
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 23 June 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Committee Business
- Heading
- Hunting with Dogs Bill: Extension of Committee Stage
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5637307
Read the official Assembly record
Text
On behalf of the AERA Committee, I request an extension to the Committee Stage of the Hunting with Dogs Bill to 5 February 2027. That date was agreed after discussions in Committee on 11 June 2026, and I will now outline the reasons why the Committee agreed to request that extension of the Committee Stage. The Committee was first briefed on the proposed content of the Bill at its meeting of 30 April by the sponsor Member, John Blair, and heard that the Bill is intended to amend the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 to bring the position more closely into line with legislation in other jurisdictions. Also, we were told that the Bill will seek to prohibit the use of dogs to hunt, attack or kill wild animals and to address potential loopholes, including where trail hunting may be used to mask illegal hunting. We were told that it also provides for a number of exemptions to permit legitimate activities such as pest control and the protection of livestock, but the Bill does not extend to other forms of hunting, such as drag hunting or to those involving firearms. This is a complex and sensitive area of policy, and the Committee considers that the Bill will require careful scrutiny. A wide range of issues were raised at Second Stage, both in support of and in opposition to aspects of the Bill. The Committee did not take a position in the Second Stage debate, and it is therefore important that sufficient time is available to examine the issues in full. Areas that the Committee will be keen to consider include scrutinising whether terms such as "hunting", "searching", "pursuing" and "participation" are clearly and precisely defined. In particular, the Committee will wish to consider the extent to which intent or knowledge must be established to ensure that individuals are not penalised for unintended or accidental actions. The Committee will also need to examine the scope and the practical operation of exemptions to ensure that livestock protection and pest control can operate effectively in practice. In addition, the Committee will need to consider the proportionality of the proposed penalties and the practicalities of enforcement — there are a lot of "p"s in there — including the guidance available to enforcement bodies and the potential resource implications for the PSNI and other relevant Departments. The Committee will also need to scrutinise the evidence base underpinning the Bill, including consideration of the experiences in England, Wales and Scotland and, in particular, in relation to animal welfare outcomes, enforcement and any unintended consequences. Through engagement with farmers, landowners and other rural stakeholders, it will be important to address any impact of the Bill on rural communities and livelihoods. Indeed, the Committee consultation process via Citizen Space has been open for less than a week, and I can report that there have already been 100 responses. That shows considerable public interest. The Committee will, of course, analyse all consultation responses carefully. Given the breadth and complexity of the issues, the Committee considers that the extension is necessary to allow for proper scrutiny while completing in time to allow for the remaining stages of the Bill before the end of the mandate. The Committee is currently managing two private Members' Bills and must also prepare for the introduction of the imminent Executive Bill — the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill. The Committee considers it preferable to examine those Bills in parallel rather than risk curtailing scrutiny of any one of them. The Committee's experience from the Agriculture Bill and the Dilapidation Bill is that significant evidence can emerge late in Committee Stage. Even with the extension provided in those cases, the Committee faced significant pressure to incorporate late evidence within reporting deadlines. The Committee also expects to receive a Research and Information Service paper following summer recess, which is likely to identify further issues for the Committee. The Committee's public call for views is under way, and we encourage all interested individuals and organisations to contribute. The Committee is committed to ensuring that the Bill and its wider impacts are given full and appropriate consideration alongside the Committee's broader scrutiny responsibilities. Therefore, having consulted with the Bill Office and having considered the evidence that the Committee intends to take and its wider workload, the Committee seeks the support of the House to extend the Committee Stage of the Hunting with Dogs Bill until 5 February 2027. However, the Committee will of course work at pace to report in advance of that, if at all possible.
759 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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