Alexis Delafontaine
The Senate released an information report on Wednesday on securing hunting in France, following a petition signed by more than 120,000 people demanding more supervision and limits for this practice. By refusing to ban hunting on Wednesdays and Sundays, the senators have clearly chosen to side with the hunting lobbyists.
After numerous accidents that have occurred since last year, a petition collecting 122,000 signatures has asked for hunting to be made safe. For the first time, the Senate has therefore launched a flash mission following this e-petition from the collective “Un jour un chasseur”. On Thursday, the Senate report was released. And, in concrete terms, the upper chamber finally sided with the hunting lobbyists.
No hunting ban on Wednesday and Sunday
On the recommendation of the hunters, the Senate recommends as a priority an offense of obstruction of hunting. Currently, an opponent who prevents this leisure incurs a simple fine. The senators now want to make it an offense punishable by one year in prison. “It’s a provocation”, proclaims the anti-hunting associations. Audrey, member of the collective behind the petition, denounces this sleight of hand.
“This proposal has nothing to do with the primary mission of this control mission, which was to strengthen the safety of non-hunters. We wonder what it is doing there. We take it as an influence of the hunting lobby “, she explains on Europe 1.
Prohibition of alcohol and narcotics
Another disappointment: a large part of the environmental recommendations are ousted from this report, such as the establishment of a day or two per week prohibited from hunting throughout the territory to reassure walkers. The only consolation prize for the associations, the Senators recommend banning alcohol and narcotics during hunts and want to impose an annual medical certificate to keep their hunting license.
These recommendations should be presented shortly in the bill.