Hunting safety: repeated accidents, when will real measures be taken?

Hunting safety: repeated accidents, when will real measures be taken?
24.07.2025
France
Hunting safety: repeated accidents, when will real measures be taken?
Wildlife

The report of the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) is worrying. For the 2024-2025 season, an increase in the number of accidents and incidents has been observed compared with previous years. Hunting amounts to killing wild animals, and injuring -sometimes very seriously- walkers and their four-legged companions. A great deal of material damage has also been reported. One Voice is more committed than ever to banning this outdated and deadly activity.

A spectacular rise in accidents… and deaths

The 2024-2025 season was marked by a record number of deaths: in addition to the tens of millions of animals killed, eleven people lost their lives, more than twice as many as in previous years. Out of nearly one hundred accidents, sixteen involved non-hunters. And even in the home, there are risks. The most striking increase concerned pets: fifty of them were targeted, sometimes deliberately, as in the case of Aslan, a dog shot at point-blank range by a hunter, against whom we have lodged a complaint.

These armed men are privatizing nature and, as always, it’s the silent majority who have to adapt to their hobby. How many walkers cut short their outings in the countryside under pressure from a visible and influential minority? In 2023, we took the matter to court to get the government to assume its responsibilities. To date, the response has been woefully inadequate. 

An anachronistic and archaic pastime that must end

Hunting in all its forms – whether with hounds, by digging up badgers, slaughtering foxes or killing birds using traditional methods – is neither legitimate nor justified. Yet it enjoys the unfailing support of the prefects, who do not hesitate to use unfair maneuvers by publishing their decrees after the operations have begun to prevent us from attacking them.

With just a few weeks to go before the opening of the 2025-26 season, we are calling for the mobilization of all citizens to demand the immediate adoption of radical measures, including:

• a ban on hunting on Sundays, public holidays and during school vacations;
• a strict ban on hunting under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• tighter control on hunters’ physical fitness;
• reinforcing the hunting license examination (which is a complete farce);
• a ban on the use of certain weapons and ammunition.

In the meantime, call on the authorities and sign up to demand radical measures in response to this worrying situation.

For Camille and the wolves of the Saône-et-Loire region, a new inter-association request

For Camille and the wolves of the Saône-et-Loire region, a new inter-association request
16.07.2025
Dijon
For Camille and the wolves of the Saône-et-Loire region, a new inter-association request
Wildlife

One Voice and its partners, ASPAS, FERUS, LPO Bourgogne Franche-Comté and Pôle Grands Prédateurs, are once again standing up for the wolves in the Saône-et-Loire region. We call for the immediate suspension of the umpteenth decree organizing the shooting of these animals. The hearing will take place on July 22 at 10 a.m. at the Dijon administrative court.

The Saône-et-Loire prefect signs shooting authorizations with a certain ease. Together with our partners, we are urgently challenging the latest one, dated May 15.

No cohabitation envisaged in the Saône-et-Loire region

In this region, the authorities’ only response is guns. Cohabitation? It’s not in their vocabulary.

In their eagerness to please the lobbies of hunting and a certain type of livestock farming, the authorities are handing out permits to kill a protected species at the drop of a hat. Every wolf unfortunate enough to pass through or settle in the Saône-et-Loire region ends up being killed. Camille, the most recent arrival, saw a torrent of hatred pour down on him. As for his predecessor, he was found dead in suspicious circumstances… We filed a complaint at the time.

We are taking legal action on behalf of the wolves in the Saône-et-Loire region

With regard to the decree we are contesting, the prefecture relies solely on the mention of a “significant risk of damage”, referring to 18 ovines attacked in neighboring villages, without providing any details on the protection devices used. This vagueness is unacceptable: the authorities cannot justify shooting when there is no guarantee that the flocks were effectively protected as required by law.

We reject this retrograde and destructive vision of wildlife. As well as being precious in their own right, wolves are essential to biodiversity and the proper functioning of ecosystems. Rather than trying to exterminate them, farmers should be encouraged and supported to set up electrified parks, and to monitor and guard their flocks.

It’s scandalous that some farmers are now lamenting the loss of ewes they refuse to protect, when they have no hesitation in sending thousands of them to slaughter without the slightest hint of compassion.

We’ve already achieved victories in the Alpes-Maritimes region last March. This time, we’ll be in the Dijon administrative court, as well as in front of it, on July 22 at 10 a.m. for Camille and all the other wolves in the Saône-et-Loire region. To show your support, sign the petition.

Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves Sign to demand an end to the slaughter of wolves

Despite the devastating fire, a hearing will be held in Narbonne on 9 and 10 July for bluefin tuna victims of illegal overfishing

Despite the devastating fire, a hearing will be held in Narbonne on 9 and 10 July for bluefin tuna victims of illegal overfishing
08.07.2025
Aude
Despite the devastating fire, a hearing will be held in Narbonne on 9 and 10 July for bluefin tuna victims of illegal overfishing
Wildlife

While bluefin tuna are fighting for survival in the Mediterranean Sea, the French Federation of Sea Fishing (FFPM) and the Narbonne Wholesale Fishing Association (ANPG) have come up with nothing better than to devise a fraudulent system to allow illegal overfishing of these animals. Between 2017 and 2020, many of them ended up on the stalls of the tuna markets held every year in Narbonne. On 9 and 10 July, we are defending them in the judicial court of the sub-prefecture of the Aude region.

A fragile marine biodiversity…

Long in danger of extinction, bluefin tuna are still classified as near threatened by the National Inventory of Natural Heritage (INPN), even though they are acknowledged as one of the pillars of biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea. To remedy this situation, recreational fishing for these animals is regulated by annual ministerial orders defining the fishing seasons and maximum catch quotas.

… which the fishermen ignore

But in Narbonne, the authorisations already granted were clearly not enough for some fishermen eager to wrest ever more animals from their environment. This was the finding of the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) when it discovered the tuna fishing events held annually in the city. Where did all these fish come from? There was room for doubt, and the OFB’s investigation ultimately revealed that between 2017 and 2020, many of the fish sold at these events had been the object of a system of downright organised fraud set up by the French Sea Fishing Federation and the Narbonne Big Game Fishing Association. For years, the two organisations encouraged recreational fishermen to break the rules using well-oiled methods. To carry out these raids unnoticed, all they had to do was falsify their declarations, starting with using the same tag for several tuna instead of just one. To top it all off, they took advantage of the annual tuna festivals to illegally sell their unfortunate catches…

A deadly pastime

For the accused, even the slightest concern for the suffering of the fish seems to be too much. When they are not forcibly removed from their habitats to entertain Sunday fishermen, they may also be subjected to experiments in which the use of electric fishing is not ruled out. And these cruel practices do not stop there, as many birds also suffer under them.

For the tuna illegally killed in Narbonne, to speak out on behalf of all fish victims of similar acts, and to protect the sea, we will be appearing in court in a civil suit on 9 and 10 July 2025.

Emmanuel Macron, the wolves’ gravedigger: another retrograde stance in Roquefort!

Emmanuel Macron, the wolves’ gravedigger: another retrograde stance in Roquefort!
04.07.2025
Emmanuel Macron, the wolves’ gravedigger: another retrograde stance in Roquefort!
Wildlife

Emmanuel Macron’s latest major project for animals? To “prevent the establishment of wolves where there is pastoralism”, even if it means “removing more wolves”. In order to promote, instead, the establishment of destructive agriculture, fuelled by pesticides, each more toxic than the last. We intend to call to mind a few truths about wolves, who do far more for the balance of our ecosystems than our public authorities and those who claim to “love” nature.

What a disgrace! President Macron’s second five-year term is a war on biodiversity to the bitter end, even in the wake of an unprecedented heatwave. Throughout his terms of office, he has behaved like the gravedigger of wolves and all wild animals, pandering to the livestock and hunting lobbies. His trip to Roquefort and his speech there on Thursday, July 3, 2025 are only the most recent expressions of this.

Death as the only solution… Spoiler: it’s not even effective!

The prefect coordinating the National Action Plan on wolves has already expressed her concern that an “unprecedented number” of wolves have already been killed in France at this time of year. The Head of State, on the other hand, chose to add fuel to the fire.

“We mustn’t wait until it [wolves, editor’s note] has settled in, until you’ve made all the investments, before we can harvest”. Using a filthy technocratic vocabulary (“to harvest”, he says…), Emmanuel Macron assumes the role of leading proponent of the eradication of wild animals, wolves in the first place. With these words, he is admitting his own failure: making farmers believe that culling is the only solution, not cohabitation. Killing has been made easier for several months now, with ministerial decrees each more hypocritical than the last. 

A stupid and wicked policy

Systematic shooting does nothing to resolve the anger of breeders! Scientists are unanimous: in Spain and Michigan (USA), they found that shooting led to an increase in predation in subsequent years and in the surrounding area. In France, this ineffective and deadly policy has been practiced for years… 

Wolves are our allies, like all living creatures

Political power’s disconnect from reality is reaching new heights. Emmanuel Macron is a bad pupil and a good demagogue: he claims that the wolves have been reintroduced, an appalling lie from a president. He would do better to listen to the eight out of ten French people (Ipsos/One Voice poll, November 2024) who believe that wolves have their rightful place in the wild. Though their detractors may not like it.

Tracking down every newcomer in the departments, like Camille in the Saône-et-Loire region and Milo and Mina in the Corrèze region, will solve nothing. 

State rhetoric is largely inspired by the nauseating rhetoric of lobbies. Hunters in the Alpes-Maritimes region claim that wolves threaten wildlife. You can’t make this up, coming from those who slaughter wild animals at every turn. Are they afraid that wolves are much better than they are at their so-called mission of “regulation”?

The facts are there: in the Netherlands, it has been shown that wolves prefer wild ungulates such as roe deer and wild boars. Around Mont Ventoux, they have helped to regenerate forests. In Poland, they are a welcome sight, “regulating” deer and wild boars in the fields. 

Fires and soil erosion, the consequences of unbridled pastoralism

The main culprits in the degradation of nature are intensive activities, of which unbridled pastoralism is one. The lobbyists have certainly done their homework! Emmanuel Macron seems to ignore the basics: the source of imbalances in ecosystems never comes from nature itself! When nature reclaims its rights and regains its health, it should be welcomed as a blessing.

Join us in refusing to let wolves become the expiatory victims of a deadly outdated system that is driving us into the wall at breakneck speed. Sign to put an end to their persecution!

An environmental disaster in Pas-de-Calais: Local Ocean, the grim project behind a salmon factory farm

An environmental disaster in Pas-de-Calais: Local Ocean, the grim project behind a salmon factory farm
03.07.2025
Pas-de-Calais
An environmental disaster in Pas-de-Calais: Local Ocean, the grim project behind a salmon factory farm
Wildlife

Fish farms have become common in Europe and around the world, causing major ecological damage. Today, the company Local Ocean wants to set up in Le Portel in France. Its goal? To produce in large quantities to meet French demand and, even more, to stimulate it. With this race for profit will come devastating pollution, while the welfare of the salmon is annihilated in one fell swoop… One Voice is committed to protecting these animals who are largely forgotten by everyone, and is joining forces with its partner associations to stop this senseless project.

The closed-loop model: the greenwashing of fish farms

Two million salmon per year: when Local Ocean boasts about opening a large-scale fish farm –no less than 12.6 hectares are needed for its construction– based on the model of seawater recycling, it’s close to forgetting about the rest. Closed-loop fish farming, or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), is not good for the environment, far from it, and denotes a system that is far from being under control. Pollution of water, soil and air, destruction of habitats and wetlands, disruption of marine parks, disturbance of local birds and seals… The large amounts of animal waste discharged into the sea – an estimated 260 tonnes of nitrogen and 87 tonnes of phosphorus per year – are just the tip of the iceberg.

The Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region is literally turning a blind eye to the many risks to nature. Whether in Chile or Canada, the problems are well known. In Norway, thousands of aquatic animals recently escaped from their farms, putting wild salmon, whose population is already in decline, at risk of extinction. Between crossbreeding and the spreading of disease, this means disaster for them. Worse still, the food in these factory farms is based on animal meal, requiring increased overfishing. This is how the company “ducks” the question!

Unimaginable suffering for millions of salmon crammed together

Local Ocean is planning additional cruelty, similar to what already exists in extensive farms, such as those intended for hunting, but this time… in the water! According to numerous studies, for instance involving Scottish farms, the salmon are deprived of minimal space, and their living conditions will be deplorable: injuries to their fins or tails, constant artificial light, stress and anxiety… Such overcrowding systematically requires preventive treatment with antibiotics at will, and, of course, a simple failure of the system would lead to mass mortality among these salmon.

To combat this large-scale aquaculture, One Voice is part of the request lodged by France Nature Environnement Hauts-de-France, GDEAM-62, L214 and Nord Nature Environnement before the Administrative Court in Lille.

In the meantime, read our leaflet for more information on the subject and sign the petition against these fish factory farms!

Killing traps, stop the slaughter

Killing traps, stop the slaughter
02.07.2025
France
Killing traps, stop the slaughter
Wildlife

They blindly kill and maim thousands of wild and domestic animals every year in a deafening silence. Instruments of torture that undermine our natural spaces, traps are one of the most cowardly and cruel practices in existence.

Buoyed by our recent victory for ESODs (species likely to cause damage), who are their primary victims, we are taking action with the Minister in charge of hunting to demand an end to the certification of 13 trap models. If our request is refused, we will take the matter to the State Council.

Hours of anguish and suffering

Scattered throughout the undergrowth and countryside, traps have only one purpose: to slaughter as many animals as possible whose only crime is to be arbitrarily considered “undesirable”. There are cages into which animals are lured before the gates slam shut and a man comes to kill them off with a rifle, a knife… or a club.

There are snares, which constrict the limbs of those who get caught in them, or suffocate their victims for hours. And, of course, there are devices equipped with jaws, whose sole purpose is to break the neck or crush the spine.

Designed to kill small mammals, particularly those classified as ESOD, such as weasels and martens, these death traps are not selective, and they kill many other wild animals, such as fawns and even wolves. Our domestic companions are not spared either. Examples include the dog Red Collar who lost a leg, and Cooky who lost his life after hours of agony. The cat Tigrou also died, guilty only of having gone for a walk.

For an effective ban on jaw traps!

The ultra-violent nature of these devices is well established. However, twenty years after the European Union banned jaw traps, the authorities in our country continue to approve them by the bucketful, along with paddle traps, kill traps and egg traps*.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of individuals fall victim to them. This silent slaughter must stop. In 2019, after a strong mobilisation in which we took part, drowning traps were banned. On 13 May this year, we achieved a historic victory against the very idea of the ESOD classification: from now on, the capture of martens is banned throughout France, as well as that of many species in dozens of regions. Now is the time to build on this success.

One Voice is asking the Minister in charge of hunting to withdraw the approval of 13 jaw traps. If we receive no response or a negative response, we will refer the matter to the State Council in order to challenge the refusal. In the meantime, see our leaflet and sign to demand a ban on all these deadly devices!

* Traps consisting of a pallet or jaws with a bait system, sometimes imitating that of an egg. The system is triggered and the trap closes on the animal which then endures excruciating suffering.