In 2001 the European Commission launched the "Sustainable Hunting Initiative", to generate constructive dialogue between governmental and non-governmental organisations concerned with the conservation and sustainable use of our wild birds under the EU Birds Directive, 2009/147/EC.
The aim of this initiative
is to improve understanding of the legal and technical aspects
of the Directive's provisions on hunting as well as developing
a programme of scientific, conservation and awareness raising
measures to promote sustainable hunting under the Directive.
Agreement between BirdLife
International and FACE
In October 2004, as part of the Sustainable Hunting Initiative,
FACE and BirdLife International signed an Agreement with
Environment Commissioner M. WALLSTRÖM.
In her words, "I would like to extend warm congratulations
to BirdLife International and FACE on the signing of this
important Agreement which is greatly welcome. This represents
a central achievement of the Sustainable Hunting Initiative,
which the Commission has promoted for the past 3 years.
The constructive and cooperative work shown by both your
organisations in reaching this valuable Agreement is appreciated
by all the Commission services concerned."
A key principle of the
Agreement is that BirdLife International and FACE recognise
the value of the Directive for maintaining wild birds (including
huntable species) and their habitats in a favourable conservation
status at the EU level - with application of the Directive
being based on the Commission's Guidance document on Hunting.
The organisations also agreed to work together to promote
strategic conservation priorities, such as halting the loss
of biodiversity by 2010, the protection of important sites
for birds, and setting out an acceptable timetable for phasing
out lead shot use in wetlands. Constructive dialogue on
these issues continues today. |
