Landowner retains ‘ultimate authority’ in new hunting agreement

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has updated its long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) and the Northern Ireland Masters of Hounds Association (NIMHA), strengthening the right of farmers and landowners to determine whether hunting activities take place on their land.

The revised agreement updates the original MOU, which was established in 2013, and will take effect from the beginning of the 2027 hunting season.

UFU president John McLenaghan said: “The UFU recognised the need to update and strengthen the original MOU to ensure it provides greater clarity and protection for landowners, particularly around access arrangements and responsibilities.

“We strongly welcome the engagement we have had with other stakeholders to achieve this update, which is in the interests of all involved.

“At the centre of the revised agreement is a clear recognition that landowners control their land.

“Hunts must comply with all instructions issued by landowners, and it is for each landowner to decide whether hunting activity is permitted on their property and under what conditions the activity takes place.”

The updated UFU-CAI-NIMHA MOU strengthens accountability and, for the first time, requires hunts to secure annual written permission from landowners, with routes agreed with farmers in advance. 

The revised agreement also includes an oversight mechanism to consider disputes that cannot be resolved locally, as well as an annual review process. This will allow issues raised by members to be considered on an ongoing basis and, where necessary, reflected in future revisions of the agreement.

John McLenaghan added: “Members have raised valid concerns regarding hunting activity. We have listened to those concerns and acted, and we will always stand up for the rights of our farm families.

“However, we also recognise that many farmers are happy to allow hunts across their land in pursuit of traditional country sports, and we welcome the respectful engagement that most Hunts and their representative organisations have with local farmers before, during, and after a Hunt.

“The decision on whether a hunt can access land rests solely with the landowner, and this agreement provides the assurances and clarity needed moving forward.”

Gary McCartney, Director, Countryside Alliance Ireland, said: “This renewed Memorandum demonstrates what can be achieved when the country pursuits and farming communities come together to agree a common set of standards.

“It provides landowners with real assurance while allowing traditional rural activities to continue on a properly regulated footing, supporting wildlife management, pest control, country pursuits and the rural way of life in Northern Ireland.

“We would encourage every hunt and landowner across Northern Ireland to familiarise themselves with the Memorandum ahead of the 2027 season.”

The UFU will monitor the progress of implementation and work constructively with other stakeholders to ensure landowners are aware of the updated agreement and Hunts respect the updated terms.

(Signatories of the MOU are the Countryside Alliance Ireland, Northern Ireland Masters of Hounds Association and Ulster Farmers’ Union Memorandum of Understanding and Co-operation – access at: 

UFU-CAI-NIMHA-Memorandum-of-Understanding-Cooperation-2027.pdf).