top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

MEP: France hunts in an illegal way

A French MEP has called for “a gradual stoppage of hunting” in France and said that hunters in the country currently “hunt protected species in a totally illegal way”.

MEP and ecologist Yannick Jadot told news service FranceInfo: “This is not a leisure sport; the death of animals cannot be leisure.

“In France, we hunt 64 species. That is two to three times’ more than the rest of Europe. We hunt protected species in a totally illegal way. For example, the Eurasian curlew. Europe [the EU] pays farms in Poland to save the species, and in France, we shoot them.”

Mr Jadot called for a “gradual stoppage of hunting” and said: “Allow us to begin by hunting down all the illegal hunts.”

Read more: 151 boar killed in out-of-control hunt

He criticised the government for undermining European conventions, and said there had been 13 instances in which the government supreme court Le Conseil d’Etat had made “scandalous exceptions”.

A Eurasian curlew (Photo: Andreas Trepte / CC BY-SA 2.5)

Mr Jadot also called out justice minister Éric Dupond-Moretti, who has recently said he is against bird glue hunting, but, before taking his role in the justice ministry, had written the preface to a book by Willy Shraen, head of French hunting federation, la Fédération des Chasseurs.

Read more: Bird welfare group files complaint against France
Read more: Debate: Hunting, a tradition or a cruel way to kill animals? France is the European country with most hunters

Mr Jadot said: “The least we can expect from the minister for justice is to not write anti-ecological prefaces on a hateful pamphlet by the head of hunting. It is to respect European law.”

Animal welfare and hunting are highly-contested issues in France. Animal rights groups last month called for there to be a dedicated minister for animal welfare, while more than half a million people have signed a high-profile petition calling for a vote to outlaw several practices considered to be cruel to animals.

Related stories

France needs minister for animal welfare, say rights groups

500,000 sign petition for French vote on animal cruelty

Glue trap hunting method upheld in French court

Hunting death toll already up on last season

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France