Birds in danger: One Voice refers to the Council of State to suspend hunting
While bird populations are collapsing in France, where they are bearing the brunt of climate change and intensified agriculture, the government has issued a decree authorizing the killing of hundreds of thousands of them, even though their species are endangered. In response to this irresponsible decision, we are today referring the matter to the Council of State and urgently requesting the suspension of hunting for nine particularly vulnerable species. More than ever, we continue to call for a complete ban on this unjustifiable leisure activity, especially at a time when biodiversity is collapsing. Hearing on September 19 at 11 a.m. at the Council of State.
Another setback in the face of hunting lobbies
Once again, the government has chosen to appease hunters rather than protect birds. The restrictions initially envisaged have been greatly watered down under pressure from hunting lobbies. As with traditional trapping, already condemned by the courts thanks to our actions, and turtle doves, for which hunting is set to be reopened after years of suspension, the executive has backed down, sacrificing tens of thousands of lives on the altar of the interests of a minority.
The decree claims to regulate the hunting of 15 species of migratory birds. In reality, the quotas set are absurd. Fifteen birds per day per hunter, with nearly a million permits, potentially represents nearly 15 million birds killed every day… This is yet another cosmetic measure that will provide no real protection for birds, who are the eternal victims of humans for whom nature is nothing more than a playground.
We demand that hunting be suspended!
In response to this irresponsible decision, we have made a request to the Council of State and urgently referred the matter to the urgent applications judge. We are calling for the immediate suspension of hunting for nine particularly endangered species: common quails, pintails, wigeons, shovelers, common pochards, tufted ducks, redwings, garganeys, and Eurasian teals.
Beyond this request, which will be heard on September 19 at 11 a.m. at the Council of State, we are once again calling for a complete ban on hunting, an unjustifiable pastime, especially in this era of the sixth mass extinction. Together, let’s make the birds’ voices heard: sign to demand an end to this deadly pastime!
Hunting of endangered birds: judge rules situation is not urgent
The urgent applications judge presiding at the Council of State has just rejected our request to suspend hunting of nine bird species, ruling that the situation is not urgent enough. We will therefore have to wait several months before our request is reviewed.
He has thus chosen to disregard the recommendations of European experts, who advocated a drastic reduction in the number of kills for certain species and an immediate suspension of shooting for others. He has also dismissed all data showing a significant decline in the populations of these species.
As biodiversity collapses, hunters will therefore be able to continue slaughtering tens of thousands of common quails, pintails, wigeons, shovelers, common pochards, tufted ducks, redwings, garganeys, and Eurasian teals in the name of their deadly hobby.
But for all these animals, just a few days after our victory for the Eurasian skylarks, which saved 100,000 of them, the fight continues! We will remain mobilized to speak out on behalf of all these individuals who are victims of the violence of a minority that is still too influential.