From 2–3 September, FACE attended the EU Hunting Directors’ Meeting held in Traunkirchen, Austria. The meeting, hosted by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, brought together senior officials responsible for hunting from EU Member States.

Key discussions centred on EU policy developments, wildlife management, and nature restoration across Europe. FACE was invited to deliver a presentation on recent EU policy updates affecting hunting and conservation. Dr David Scallan, FACE Secretary General, addressed several key thematic areas:

• The Birds Directive and its role in shaping conservation priorities and migratory bird protection.
• Crop damage caused by wild boar and migratory bird populations, and potential management strategies.
• The growing use of digital tools and technologies in wildlife monitoring, regulatory enforcement, and hunting oversight.
• The revision of Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy and the Nature Restoration Law, under which EU Member States are currently preparing national restoration plans.

Throughout the meeting, FACE emphasised the need for national hunting organisations to remain actively engaged in policy formulation. Dr. Scallan reiterated that FACE will continue to provide input during consultations and to work with its Member associations to ensure that implementation of new European laws and policies reflects local realities.