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The Green MLA, Brian Wilson has questioned Michelle Gildernew over whether she plans to ban hunting with dogs, in legislation that would mirror the English ban. The Agriculture Minister says her party position is that she opposes blood sports, but adds that there has been very little debate about a local ban. Although hunting and coursing is exempt from some of the provisions on cruelty contained in the 1972 Welfare of Animals Act, the minister explains that someone could still be prosecuted if they caused "unnecessary suffering" to an animal during a hunt - which I suppose begs the question of what a necessary level of suffering would be.

Another MLA concerned about country matters is the Ulster Unionist Tom Elliott who reckons there's a rise in deer poaching. The Environment Minister Sammy Wilson tells him the NI Environment Agency works closely with the PSNI on the matter.

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