Following years of discussions and disputes over the European Commission's proposal to ban hunting and fishing in newly established European Union protected areas—specifically, 10% of EU land area—such a ban has ultimately been deemed an unjustified measure for the conservation of biodiversity (originally, to halt the decline). The final document, which has now been published, does not include the words "hunting ban".

In the first draft of the document prepared by the European Commission, hunting and fishing were equated to mining or coal extraction, on the basis that both activities were incompatible with the status of strictly protected areas. This idea from the EC sparked very serious and sharp objections across various parts of Europe, including from a significant number of European Parliament members dissatisfied with such a plan.

The original goal of the aforementioned proposal, in light of the ideas of the Biodiversity Strategy, was to preserve the integrity of areas with high biodiversity, emphasising carbon-rich ecosystems such as peatlands and ancient forests. It is important to understand that hunting does not affect the natural processes in the mentioned habitats. The efforts and activities of hunters in the field of environmental conservation in protected areas are highly commendable and provide both public support and protection at the local level.
Photo: Donal Boyd