Nature Conservation

I. OVERVIEW FACE is asking for a new ‘biodiversity’ instrument to improve the Greening component of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In short, this biodiversity instrument would: Establish an entry-level measure for farmers, which would permit them to dedicate part of their farmland to non-productive use for biodiversity only; Enable the farmer to dedicate a minimum measurable area of farmland for biodiversity in accordance with specific land type/use characteristics, agreed at national level; Require national administrative structures to be adapted...

19 December, 2017 /

FACE, together with our colleagues in the Natura 2000 Users Forum (Copa-Cogeca - European Farmers/European Agri-Cooperatives, CEPF - the Confederation of European Forest Owners, The European Landowners’ Organisation - the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, and EAA - European Anglers Alliance) in conjunction with the European Historic Houses Association (EHHA) and CIC have designed a questionnaire on Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES). This is now available in 20 European languages. Cultural Ecosystem Services are non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems, such...

06 December, 2017 /

Worryingly for FACE, the European Commission’s (EC) Communication* on the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) does not acknowledge the biodiversity crisis on Europe’s farmland. Of significance, the EC has confirmed that next CAP will again include a two-pillar structure whereby farmers will receive area-based payments (under Pillar I), which may not effectively deliver public goods other than food. FACE was hoping for an improved CAP structure whereby direct payments to farmers would also be clearly linked to measurable environmental outcomes....

04 December, 2017 /

Between 2009 and 2013, the Czech Hunting Association jointly with the Mendel University in Brno and Dr. Petr Marada conducted a couple of corridors projects in farmland in Hodonín District (South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic). Those projects have numerous of purposes: increase the local biodiversity, facilitate animal migration, create an anti-erosion function and improve water retention and enhancing the aesthetic value of the landscape.   The first project, called “The Holy Trinity habitat corridor” has been deployed in Šardice municipality. It...

30 November, 2017 /

On 27 November, the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) had a very productive meeting with the EU Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, and his staff where a range of issues linked to migratory birds, geese, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and large carnivores were discussed. At the outset of the meeting, FACE reaffirmed its commitment to help to promote better implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives in line with the EU Action Plan for nature, people and economy. In...

29 November, 2017 /

Strasbourg, 15 November 2017 - In recent months, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee debated the “Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy”, which was the result of the “Fitness Check” of the EU nature directives. The Environment Committee adopted a draft Resolution on the Action Plan, as they felt that certain issues were missing. Today, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of a more pragmatic approach to EU nature conservation. An important addition from the European Parliament is a...

15 November, 2017 /

The Ballydangan Bog Red Grouse Project, Co. Roscommon started in 2009 because members of Moore Gun Club wanted to do something about the ever-decreasing numbers of Red Grouse on raised bogs in the region. After some initial support from Roscommon Regional Game Council, a professional conservation plan was developed. From there, the National Association of Regional Game Councils (NARGC) provided support along with several other stakeholders including Bord na Móna and other important government agencies started backing the project. Today, the...

02 November, 2017 /

On the 27-29 September 2017, FACE was in Tallinn, Estonia to attend the meeting of the EU Nature and Biodiversity Directors. At the meeting, the European Commission provided an overview of the outcomes of the status of European forests and stressed the need for better financial support to resolve this issue. The Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF) presented the view of the Natura 2000 Users Forum (which includes FACE) on the importance of improving support for sustainable forestry within national...

05 October, 2017 /

The main purpose of the project of this month is to create guilds within a defined area of a minimum of 1.000-1.500 hectares, where farmers, ornithologists, hunters, beekeepers etc. work together to manage their land in the optimal way for Brown Hare (Lepus Europaeus) and Grey Partridge (Perdix Perdix) conservation activities. In collaboration with environmental NGOs, universities, scientists, but also with public authorities, land owners, farmers and hunters are voluntarily conducting research and collecting data with a primary focus on the...

25 September, 2017 /

Richard Hearn, Matthieu Guillemain & David Scallan Most ducks are popular quarry throughout Europe and, on average, their numbers have been healthy in recent decades as a result of conservation actions such as habitat management at important sites. However, several huntable duck species are now showing signs of decline, epitomised by the Common Pochard, which has declined considerably in recent years. In response, there is growing recognition of the need to improve our knowledge of the population dynamics of these species, and...

19 September, 2017 /

“Young Hunters: Securing a future for Europe’s biodiversity” European Parliament, 6 September 2017, Brussels Sustainable hunting is a positive force for conservation! This was one of the messages delivered by Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, at the conference “Young Hunters: Securing a future for Europe’s biodiversity” on 6 September 2017 at the European Parliament. The Commissioner also pointed to the value of FACE Biodiversity Manifesto to demonstrate how Europe’s 7 million hunters contribute to delivering the goals of EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020. With a...

08 September, 2017 /

The project of this month shows how hunters from Club della Becaccia are working together with research institutions to monitor wintering Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) in protected areas in Italy since 2003. The work is undertaken by Club della Becaccia and the National Institute for Wildlife (INFS-ISPRA) in conjunction with the University of Genoa. Together, they collaborate in the monitoring design, field surveys and data analysis. Hunters play a key role in field surveys by using highly trained pointing dogs to flush...

04 August, 2017 /

The conference is hosted by MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, President of Intergroup “Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside”, and by MEP Bendt Bendtsen, Vice-President of the Intergroup, and organised in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of FACE, the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU With a focus on young hunters, the panel members will discuss the future of hunting in an increasingly urbanised world as well as the contribution of European hunters to the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to...

14 July, 2017 /

This month, the Biodiversity Manifesto Project of the Month focuses in on the efforts of Maltese hunters and trappers who manage the Federation for Hunting & Conservation - Malta (FKNK) Hunting Reserves of Aħrax and Miżieb in order to combat forest fires and to encourage biodiversity. Since 1984 an average of 750 hunters and trappers, members of the FKNK (Malta’s FACE Members of 30 years) participate in cleaning, planting and pruning of indigenous trees in the Hunting Reserves of Aħrax...

05 July, 2017 /

In conjunction with their national partners, FACE and WWF organised a regional workshop of the Large Carnivore Platform in Bucharest, Romania on Coexistence between people and large carnivores: Sharing good practice in monitoring and communication. Together with the Secretariat of the Platform, they brought together the different actors involved with large carnivore management in Romania. There was a great variety of presentations, with a focus on the conservation, management and monitoring of large carnivores in different European countries. The workshop aimed at...

16 June, 2017 /

To follow up on the presentation of the EU Action Plan on Nature, People and the Economy, the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions and the Maltese Presidency jointly hosted a conference on 6 June 2017 on the EU Nature Directives Action Plan. A wide range of stakeholders came together to discuss the Plan and its implementation. FACE, together with other stakeholders, welcomed the opportunity to discuss it. The plan is ambitious and has to be achieved in a short period...

06 June, 2017 /

Green infrastructures have the purpose to come up against habitats fragmentation. They are natural/semi-natural areas especially created to network ecosystems and provide ecosystem services such as water purification, air quality, space for recreation and climate mitigation and adaptation. Green infrastructures are providing multiple climate change mitigation services. Examples of green infrastructures are: Corridors linking farmland habitats to enable wildlife movement and deliver food and shelter Wetlands creating resting areas for waterfowls on migration pathways Ecoducts/green bridges allowing animals to safely cross highways Hunters significantly contribute...

05 June, 2017 /

On the 29-30 May, FACE attended the biannual meeting of the EU Nature and Biodiversity Directors in Malta. The main points discussed were: the need to do much more to achieve the targets of the EU Biodiversity Strategy by 2020; the relevance of the Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy; the need to implement the Natura 2000 network to its full potential; the public awareness and understanding that needs to be improved to achieve the objectives; and the importance of adequate funding for the...

31 May, 2017 /

This month, FACE has chosen the Latvian conservation of large carnivores as the Biodiversity Manifesto project of the month. The Latvian hunters are involved in multiple ways in a project to monitor population changes in Wolf and Lynx populations. Latvia has managed a stable population with a slight increase. The objective is to have no less than 300 – 500 wolves (Canis lupus) in spring before young puppies are born. This is a well managed population that has come from an...

31 May, 2017 /

To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Habitats Directive and of the LIFE Programme, the European Commission together with the European Parliament, the Council Presidency and the Committee of the Regions declared 21st May as “European Natura 2000 Day”. Natura 2000 is producing good results but implementation clearly needs improvement at Member State level in particular with greater stakeholder involvement and dialogue. FACE will be supporting a better implementation of Natura 2000 as outlined in the EU Action Plan for Nature, People...

19 May, 2017 /

FACE was present at a conference on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP is a major policy in Europe and currently uses the largest portion of the European Commission’s (EC) budget (almost 40%). It has resulted in major improvements in food production since its conception in 1957, however, there is recognition that the future CAP to be more sustainable. For FACE, the decline in farmland biodiversity, especially (huntable) small game species, is a very important subject....

12 May, 2017 /

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) accounts for nearly 40% of the EU budget and is a crucial support mechanism for agriculture and the rural environment in Europe. Many hunters will be aware that European agriculture has had a significant impact on farmland biodiversity, including many small game species. In 2020, the CAP will be revised; FACE and its members will be working hard to improve the next CAP and its consequences for hunting and conservation. In FACE’s view, the next CAP...

10 May, 2017 /

This year, the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) is celebrating World Migratory Bird Day as a means to promote the recently established Waterbird Fund. FACE is calling on those who sustainably use and conserve waterbirds to contribute to this important Fund to ensure that we better understand the status of our migratory waterbird populations. The FACE Biodiversity Manifesto demonstrates that hunters are already actively involved in managing and creating wetlands that are important for migratory birds in Europe. However,...

10 May, 2017 /

Last week, the European Commission published its “Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy”, which was the result of the “Fitness Check” of the EU nature directives. FACE, with input from its Members, has been involved in the entire Fitness Check consultation process including the development of this EU Action Plan. The Plan includes important actions for European hunters to be delivered by 2019, including: Updating guidance on species protection rules under the Habitats Directive; Updating the “Key concepts document on the...

04 May, 2017 /

On 29 April, ANCPG, RSHCB, and FACE highlighted the necessity for stronger collaboration between farmers and hunters at a conference on farmland small game management. All stakeholders agreed on the importance of strong partnerships to conserve small game species threatened by the intensification of farming. Related Member: BELGIUM: Royal Saint-Hubert Club de Belgique (RSHCB)...

02 May, 2017 /
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