Entitled "Wolves, the biology of a myth", the long-awaited conference at CFPPA (1) in Nyons had to be cancelled by this public establishment, under the pressure of a small group of farmers and the sub Prefect invoking the threat of disturbing public order. However, this conference proposed by the SFEPM (2) has already been welcomed without problem in several places in the south-east of France since the beginning of the year, especially in agricultural colleges at the request of teachers or students. They present in a dispassionate way the scientific knowledge available about wolves, in order to attempt to inform the students and the public on what is a very complex subject.
On 27-28 May, the organizers of the Giro (cycling tour of Italy) had withdrawn their mascot during the passage of the race in France, under the pressure from local elected officials and the prefecture of the Hautes-Alpes obeying the injunctions of farmers who threatened to block the race. The unique cause: the mascot represented was a wolf. Once again, local officials are the accomplices to a handful of farmers who dictate their desire to eliminate wolves right up to the stuffed animals of their effigy and up to the scientific information on this species.
Farmers live on public subsidies and must know that 80% of the French want to protect wolves (3). Will the citizens who help pay the famers with their taxes endure for a long time that an obscurantist minority thus imposes its law? The conference of the SFEPM (2) will be given in other places including in Drôme, to promote the sharing of knowledge and to exchange with the public, particularly with farmers who are open to information and dialogue. Next conference scheduled: this Tuesday, June 14 at 20h, at the House of Geology Puy-Saint-André (Hautes-Alpes).
Associations CAP Loup (Wolf)
(1) CFPPA: Centre for Professional Training and Agricultural Promotion
(2) SFEPM: French Society for the Study and Protection of Mammals
