The European Parliament elections, scheduled for 6 to 9 June, will be decisive for the future of hunting and nature conservation. At present, 80% of the rules and regulations affecting hunting and nature conservation in the member states come from Brussels. What is decided in Brussels also affects countries that are not EU member states, and often influences how the rest of the world approaches environmental policy questions.

The next European Parliament will have the opportunity to shape and advance policy that is favourable to biodiversity and to rural communities. Such policy may include halting the decline in biodiversity, addressing the problem of species decline and restoring habitats. What is decided in Brussels will also affect which bird species may be hunted and how large carnivores are managed. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) could also decide which types of firearms and ammunition may be used in future.

From 6 to 9 June, European citizens will elect 720 Members of the European Parliament for the next five-year political term. That is more than at present, when the EP has 705 members. The number of members is determined by a member state's population. No member state may have more than 96 members or fewer than 6. At present Germany has 96 MEPs, while Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta have 6 each.

The impact of the elections will also be felt beyond the European Parliament. They will also influence the election of the President of the European Commission and the hearings and assessment of the EU commissioners.

FACE encourages European hunters to go to the polls fully aware of what the politicians and political groups they have elected have done in their work in Brussels. What important decisions have been taken that affect hunters? Who are the candidates in the coming elections and what is their position on hunting and nature conservation issues? What decisions affecting hunting and nature conservation can be expected from the next Parliament?

The importance of hunters getting involved and voting

Despite the impact of EU decisions on our everyday lives, interest and participation in EU elections is relatively low compared with elections in the member states. At the last elections (in 2019), average voter turnout across the Union was around 50% – ranging from 88% in Belgium (where voting is compulsory) to a record low of 22% in Slovakia. High voter turnout means that the citizens who do vote have a considerable opportunity to influence the future direction of EU policy.

Conversely, interest groups that have not made their views heard during the election campaign or have not turned up at the polling stations run the risk of having their lives dictated by opposing interests. In other words, the hunting community must get involved in the coming elections – the greater the numbers, the better.

As the saying goes: if you don't vote, don't complain afterwards!