ESOD Campaign: Press Release
Ahead of the public consultation on ‘species likely to cause damage’, One Voice is organising a national campaign in 11 major cities to call for an end to a decree that condemns 1.7 million wild animals every year.
As the Ministry for Ecological Transition prepares to publish a new three-year decree defining the list of animals classified as ‘ESOD’ – species likely to cause damage – the organisation One Voice is launching a national campaign in 11 cities across France to raise public awareness and call for an end to this measure, which it considers cruel, unjustified and contrary to the goals of biodiversity conservation.
Foxes, martens, weasels, stone martens, magpies, carrion crows, rooks, jays and even starlings: these animals, once labelled ‘pests’, can be trapped, shot or dug up all year round in many French regions simply because they are included on this ministerial list.
For One Voice, this regulation is based on an outdated view of coexistence between humans and wildlife. Every year, 1.7 million animals are killed in the name of short-term economic interests or hunting for recreation, even though they play an essential role in the balance of natural ecosystems.
“Behind the administrative term ‘ESOD’ lies a reality as senseless as it is barbaric: wild animals hunted down, trapped and killed all year round, by any means, even the cruellest. Nature is well-designed; these precious animals have their rightful place in our countryside and forests. It is high time that hunters put down their weapons and found another pastime to occupy themselves with”, says Muriel Arnal, Chair of One Voice.
A decisive public consultation
In the coming days, the government will launch a public consultation to allow citizens to have their say on this forthcoming decree. One Voice is calling on everyone to mobilise en masse to oppose the continuation of these culls.
The organisation also points out that it plans to refer the matter to the Council of State as soon as the decree is published, just as it challenged previous decrees, to seek the annulment of this legislation, alongside other animal welfare and environmental organisations.
According to an Ipsos/One Voice poll conducted in October 2023, 71 per cent of French people say they are in favour of banning the trapping of these animals.
Actions across France
Throughout May, One Voice campaigners will be engaging with the public through information stands, street performances and leafleting organised in several towns and cities:
- Limoges (87) – 87 rue Louis Armand 23 May 2026 – from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm
- Paris (75) – Opposite 99 rue Vieille du Temple 23 May 2026 – from 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm
- Marseille (13) – Quai du Vieux-Port 23 May 2026 – from 10.30 am to 12 noon
- Metz (57) – Rue W. Churchill 23 May 2026 – from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm
- Bordeaux (33) – Place Pey Berland 23 May 2026 – from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
- Nice (06) – Pointe de Rauba Capeu 23 May 2026 – from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm
- Montpellier (34) – Place de la Comédie 23 May 2026 – from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm
- Fréjus (83) – Boulevard de la Libération, Sablettes Beach roundabout 24 May 2026 – from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
- Troyes (10) – Place de l’Hôtel de Ville 30 May 2026 – from 2.30 pm to 5 pm
- Toulouse (31) – Square Charles-de-Gaulle 30 May 2026 – from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
- Bar-le-Duc (55) – 10 Boulevard de La Rochelle 30 May 2026 – from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm
One Voice is also calling on the general public to sign its petitions, to remove foxes from the ESOD list and to ban traps.
ESOD Campaign: Press Release
Across France, One Voice is campaigning against the classification of animals as ‘ESOD’
– species likely to cause damage