Green Party Minister Warns Against Wolf Reintroduction in Ireland, Citing Ecosystem Capability and Potential Threats
Ireland’s ecosystem currently lacks the capacity to accommodate wolves, and any reintroduction would likely result in the animals being culled, according to Pippa Hackett, the Green Party Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity. Hackett, who also runs a beef and sheep farm, expressed her openness to the idea of wolf reintroduction but emphasised the need for extensive farmer engagement, suggesting that such a move could be decades away and suitable only in specific regions. She clarified that there are no imminent policy changes within the Green Party regarding this matter.
The debate over wolf protection in the European Union has been ongoing, with Green Party leader Eamon Ryan previously considering the idea of reintroducing wolves to Ireland. However, concerns have been raised, including those from former Minister for Arts, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, who argued that such reintroduction could undermine existing conservation efforts and pose risks to farming.
In her role at the Department of Agriculture, Hackett, a “super junior” minister, sees potential in the government’s new forestry programme to diversify farmers’ income sources. She highlighted the impact of wild deer on native woodlands, attributing the need for culling to the absence of apex predators like wolves. Hackett suggested that with proper land-use policies, Ireland could explore the introduction of lynx or wolves in specific areas.
Acknowledging the challenges of being a Green Party member in rural areas, Hackett shared her satisfaction in supporting communities and businesses striving for environmental change. Looking ahead, she plans to contest the next general election in the newly configured Offaly constituency, believing there is a seat with her name on it, even though she anticipates competition from Sinn Féin.
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