FOX and harrier hunting has increased in recent years, but opposition from animal welfare groups puts continued growth in jeopardy, according to a new report.
The state of hunting is examined in the report, The contribution of the sports horse industry to the Irish economy, published at the Horse Show yesterday.
The report, compiled by Alison F. Corbally for the Irish Horse Board, says that hunting is a minority pursuit with an increasing urban participation and with a significant following as a tourist attraction.
The study found the number of foxhunts increased by 8 per cent from 1990 to 1993, and harrier clubs increased by 21 per cent in the same period.
The report also notes a decline in the number of tourists coming to Ireland for equestrian pursuits. Bord Failte figures indicated that only 25 per cent of the 61,000 participants in a 1993 study claimed that the equestrian product influenced their decision to travel to Ireland - a fall from 41 per cent in 1990.
The author says it seems possible that Ireland is engaging too narrowly in a low level marketing strategy for equestrian leisure activities aimed at the casual holidaymaker who is not too fussy about the quality of the mount but simply wants fun.
The report estimates that the industry is worth between £80 and £100 million each year.