Government overturns ban on hunting

Hunters will begin to forage the forests for wild beasts such as agouti, deer, lappe and tattoo by next week after the government has reconsidered its ban which went into effect when the season opened in October.

Prime Minister Dr Rowley said the Government had taken a decision on Friday to allow hunters to engage in the sport for the rest of the season which ends in February.

Speaking at a covid19 press briefing in Tobago on Saturday, the Prime Minister said he has instructed the Minister of Agriculture to begin processing hunting permits from Monday which should be completed by the end of next week.

He said the decision was not as a result of public protests from hunting groups, one of which displayed a banner at New York's Times Square, criticising the Health Minister.

Another group staged a demonstration at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary last week pleading for the government to reconsider its decision to outlaw hunting for the four-month season.

At a previous briefing, the Prime Minister had allowed hunters to exercise their dogs even though they were not allowed to hunt.