Italian hunting delegation calls for greater cooperation to promote sustainable hunting
At a reception held in the headquarters of FACE, The Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU, the leading figures in hunting associations and sports shooting industry in Italy hosted Members of the European Parliament and other EU decision-makers to underscore the importance of hunting both in Italy and across the European Union. (Read More)

FACE MED meeting
FACE MED, which incorporates FACE Members from southern Europe met in Paris on the 12th of February to discuss improving collaboration and in particular the place of traditional hunting methods and practices in the current environmental and political climate. (Read More)

Animal Health Advisory Committee meet
The most important topics on the agenda for the meeting of the Animal Health Advisory Committee (AHAC), in which FACE participated, were the creation of an EU Animal Health Law and the Evaluation of the EU Animal Welfare Policy. (Read More)

Animal Welfare = Human welfare?
At the seminar of the Liberal Group (ALDE) of the European Parliament on the 4th of February, high-ranking representatives discussed the topic “Animal welfare=human welfare?”. (Read More)

Starting a new FACE tradition - TG COM again at Jagd & Hund Fair
Following comments made by DJV President J BORCHERT two years ago at the Jagd & Hund Fair that “once is an event, twice is a tradition and three times is long tradition”,  the FACE communication team maintained its part (of the bargain) by holding its Technical Group Communication meeting for the second time in Dortmund. (Read More)

Roadmap for hunting ammunition drawn up in Rome
Rome 04.02.2010, the FACE CEO attended a high level meeting between the International Council on Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), the World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activities (WFSA) and FACE to discuss concerns with ammunition. (Read More)

Future work programme decided at latest FACE Board meeting (Read More)

Italian hunting delegation calls for greater cooperation to promote sustainable hunting

At a reception held in the headquarters of FACE, The Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU, the leading figures in hunting associations and sports shooting industry in Italy hosted Members of the European Parliament and other EU decision-makers to underscore the importance of hunting both in Italy and across the European Union. Jointly held  last night with FACE, the associations that make up FACE Italy stressed how EU issues, such as the implementation of the Guidance Document, have had a tremendous impact on hunting in Italy and thus require an even  greater level of cooperation among all stakeholders.

MEPs Sergio BERLATO (EPP, IT), Lara COMI (EPP, IT), Herbert DORFMANN (EPP, IT), Giancarlo SCOTTA’ (EFD, IT) and William, the Earl of Dartmouth (EFD, UK) followed this special invitation from the Italian hunters and helped contribute to the great success of the evening. Joining President BANA were Gianluca DALL’OLIO, President of Federcaccia, Marco BELLINI, from Enalcaccia Nazionale, Giovanni GHINI, of ANPAM, and Pietro Pietrafesa, also from ANPAM. FACE Italy is made up of ANUU Migratoristi,Federcaccia, Enalcaccia and Libera Caccia.

FACE Italy President  Giovanni BANA, who is also FACE Vice President, reminded the gathering that hunting supports over 1 million jobs in Italy alone and that this should be kept in mind when EU legislation that directly and indirectly affects hunting is framed. After the welcoming words by FACE CEO, Angus MIDDLETON, who underlined the importance of this event, FACE Director Public Affairs & Communication, Christine RUPPRECHTER-RÖDLACH, said, “Through FACE, Italian hunters have a direct platform to the EU Institutions and receive back directly constructive dialogue”.

This event, a first for FACE, is an example of how it is important that its Member Associations take a greater interest in European issues by working closely with FACE, as what occurs in Brussels in relation to directive and regulations within the EU affect national legislation. It is the hope of FACE that in the future other members will emulate the success of this event that brought together stakeholders from one specific country together under the auspices of building links and sharing ideas that help to promote sustainable hunting.

For more information, please contact FACE Director Public Affairs & Communication, Christine RUPPRECHTER-RÖDLACH

> top

FACE MED meeting
FACE MED, which incorporates FACE Members from southern Europe met in Paris on the 12th of February to discuss improving collaboration and in particular the place of traditional hunting methods and practices in the current environmental and political climate. As always the position of FACE is to take into consideration the best scientific knowledge and compatibility with the EU Nature Directives as a basis of arriving at any position or decision.
In order to take on board new approaches, OMPO – The European Institute for the Management of Wild Birds and their Habitats – were invited to present their new strategy for monitoring migratory birds and combining research efforts for conservation and the sustainable management of biodiversity. The scientific approach of OMPO, as explained in their presentation, is based on three levels; basic assessment of populations and trends, understanding of mechanisms, and lastly prediction and modeling. Their aim is to take an international and ecosystem approach to conserving migratory birds, to complement existing conservation structures.
FACE MED supports such a structure as it is an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of birds which are present in their territory only during passage or winter months and of which they are beneficiaries. To ensure the ecological and social sustainability of hunting practices which have existed for generations, it is vital to embrace new methods and adapt in order that such practices continue. Indeed if correctly managed, traditional knowledge can contribute to species and habitat conservation.     

For more information, please contact FACE Biodata Manager, Cy GRIFFIN

> top

Animal Health Advisory Committee meet
The most important topics on the agenda for the meeting of the Animal Health Advisory Committee (AHAC), in which FACE participated, were the creation of an EU Animal Health Law and the Evaluation of the EU Animal Welfare Policy. The main objectives behind the proposed EU Animal Health Law from the Commission’s side are the simplification and optimising of the framework, performance and results of veterinary public administration in the EU. The focus is on potential diseases. The Commission will adopt its proposal during the course of 2010.
Regarding the Evaluation of the EU Animal Welfare Policy, this work is carried out by two external contractors, in close cooperation with DG Health and Consumers (DG SANCO). The evaluation covers the last eight years (2000-2008) and aims at establishing changes, if needed, in this area for the future, i.e. beyond 2010 (including legislation, research, communication, international activities – but also possible changes in the treaties). Following this external evaluation, the Commission plans to design a new EU action plan on animal welfare (Act-PAW). This is indeed a topic that requires the greatest of vigilance from FACE and the hunting community. As FACE has constantly reported, the EU has no general competence on animal welfare. The treaties merely provide that the Union shall pay regard to animal welfare requirements when implementing and formulating its agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies.
AHAC, which meets 3-4 times annually, was created as a working group of the Advisory Group on the Food Chain and Animal & Plant Health. It was set up to enable the European Commission to discuss animal health related issues with multiple stakeholders, such as the veterinary profession, animal welfare organisations, food chain businesses and animal health industries.

For more information, please contact FACE Legal Affairs Officer, Johan SVALBY

> top

Animal welfare = human welfare?
At the seminar of the Liberal Group (ALDE) of the European Parliament on the 4th of February, high-ranking representatives discussed the topic “Animal welfare = human welfare?”. The background to this event in Brussels was the draft report of Swedish MEP Marit Paulsen on the “Evaluation and assessment of the Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010”.
This report is currently on the agenda in the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament, with the aim to provide proposals for which direction the European Commission could go with a new action plan. In order to judge the opinions of stakeholders concerned, Mrs. Paulsen invited the responsible Vice-Director General Mrs. Paula Testori-Coggi, Professor Mr. Ivar Vagsholm (who is also member of the EFSA-expert panel), Mr. Meurig Raymond, the Vice-President of the Farmers’ Union England and Wales, Mr. Per Olsen from COPA-COGECA, Mrs. Sonja van Tichelen, Director of the Eurogroup for Animals as well as Mr. Andrea Gavinelli, Head of the Animal Welfare Unit of the Commission, to participate on the panel.
For Mrs. Paulsen, it is crucial that decisions are based on the most sound and best available scientific data. She also said that she would still have to make up her mind if she will include the welfare of wild animals into her considerations or not. In contrast, Mrs. Testori-Coggi confirmed that the new Maltese Commissioner, John Dalli, is going to present a new action plan for the welfare of animals in any case in 2011. Moreover, the reinforcement of existing legislation would be encouraged and a network of national competencies might be established, where the latter could provide knowledge and help to reinforce legislation in a better way. FACE will closely follow the negotiations around the Paulsen Report and keep you updated. 

For more information, please contact FACE Director Public Affairs & Communication, Christine RUPPRECHTER-RÖDLACH

> top

Commission consults stakeholders on Animal By-Products
Following the publication last November of the new EU Regulation N°1069/2009 on Animal By-Products*, the European Commission, DG SANCO, organised a special consultation session for the various sectors concerned. This technical meeting, with representatives from some 40 European organisations and interest groups – the whole agri-food industry, leather manufacturing, waste management, producers of pet-food, biodiesel, biogas, etc. – was an opportunity for them to present their views on the future implementation rules, to be laid down in a Commission Regulation before March 2011.
Although the 2009 Regulation does not apply to ABP from wild game killed “in accordance with good hunting practices” (a concept for which FACE experts will draft a definition at a special meeting in April, hosted by DG SANCO), several of its provisions may be directly or indirectly relevant to hunting and wildlife management. That is why the FACE SG/SPA participated in this first consultation meeting, together with a representative from BirdLife International, and they took for instance a common position on the proposed restrictions to the feeding of ABP to rare birds of prey (e.g. vultures) or large carnivores (e.g. brown bear). FACE also commented on the proposed rules for hunting trophies which in certain cases   require less stringency. 

* ABP – defined as all “entire bodies or parts of animals… not intended for human consumption”.

For more information, please contact FACE SG/SPA, Dr Yves LECOCQ

> top

Starting a new FACE tradition - TG COM again at Jagd & Hund Fair
Following comments made by DJV President J BORCHERT two years ago at the Jagd & Hund Fair that “once is an event, twice is a tradition and three times is long tradition”,  the FACE communication team maintained its part (of the bargain) by holding its Technical Group Communication meeting for the second time in Dortmund. Meeting twice a year, TG COM consists of communication experts from FACE’s Member Associations who gather to exchange best practices in public relations and discuss the latest tools that are used to embrace these practices.
With 13 participants from ten European countries, the Dortmund meeting examined the topic of raising the profile of the contribution made by Europe’s 7 Million hunters to nature conservation. It was agreed that to achieve this, there is a need for a European-wide event that would define what this contribution is, especially for the majority of Europeans who largely live in urban centres. The conclusions of the meeting were that FACE would prepare group recommendations and would present them to the FACE General Assembly in March 2010. Unfortunately for the Diary readers, the details of what this event cannot be immediately revealed but it will be made more apparent in upcoming editions of the Diary.
The following day, the FACE staff and TG COM participants had the opportunity to attend the Jagd & Hund Fair, one of Europe’s leading hunting exhibition, and enjoyed the different presentations and competitions. FACE would once again like to thank the organisers of the Jagd & Hund Fair and the Kongresszentrum Westfalenhallen for their generous hospitality and attention to detail during the two days that FACE and its Members were in Dortmund.

For more information, please contact FACE Press Officer, Timothy LAWRENCE

> top

Future work programme decided at latest FACE Board meeting
The FACE Board met in Brussels on the 3rd of February to discuss the work programme for 2010 and decide on policy issues and directions. Amongst the items covered were the current work programme for conservation and political affairs issues. The political affairs issues included an overview of the Lisbon Treaty, which examined how the decision making system has been altered and how in the future it might affect areas related to hunting, such as agriculture. The conservation themes will be dominated by the International Year of Biodiversity, for which FACE is planning a number of interventions. The other issue which was discussed in some detail by the Board was the current concerns regarding lead ammunition. On the basis of the discussions the FACE CEO was given a pragmatic mandate to engage with the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) and the World Forum on the Future of Sport Shooting Activites (WFSA) to find ways to deal with these concerns (see News and Events – Roadmap for hunting ammunition drawn up in Rome). As a final point the FACE Board welcomed news of the appointment of Tamas MARGHESCU as the special advisor to the CIC and ultimately successor to Kai-Uwe WOLLSHEID.

> top

The social benefits of hunting
Society benefits from the services that ecosystems and biodiversity provide, such as water purification, carbon storage, food supply and recreation. Amongst other rural stakeholders, Europe’s 7 million hunters contribute a lot of their private time and money for conserving biodiversity and ecosystems. Their participation in Europe’s land management is crucial in order to halt the loss of biodiversity and to restore ecosystems. On the other hand, stakeholders need to form partnerships and communicate their common objectives to Member States and the EU.
This was the conclusion of the lecture given by Gabor von Bethlenfalvy (Project Manager, FACE) on EU Biodiversity policy, given at the Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, UK. The lecture was given in the frame of a weekly sustainability seminar, which aims to expose young scientists to other fields.

> top

06 March 2010 - Belgian Hunting license exam

12 to 25 March 2010 - CITES COP 15 (Doha, Qatar)

16 March 2010 - 3rd FORUM FOR THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE (Brussels, Belgium)

25 to 26 March 2010 - FACE Spring General Assembly (Brussels, Belgium)

25 March 2010 – FACE Lobbying Seminar (Brussels, Belgium)

30 April 2010 – European Countryside Movement (MER) (Brussels, Belgium)