News & Events

World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February to raise global awareness about the important role of wetlands for people and nature, and to promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands. Unfortunately, many of Europe’s wetlands have been lost or degraded through land use changes, which has led to the decline of many waterbird populations. The next Common Agricultural Policy (post 2020) needs to better support Europe’s biodiversity, including our sensitive wetland habitats. The FACE Biodiversity Manifesto shows that...

02 February, 2018 /

Each year at the beginning of the spring, the Hunting Interest Group of Mons invites hunters and other nature lovers to meet for a one-day spring counting. For the 10th edition, the 21 March 2017, around 50 people from different regions answered the call under a cold and grey sky. The results show 60-90 Grey Partridges and 80-90 Brown Hares per 100 ha. This is a remarkable increase of the populations although there is no game release in the area. The results...

06 January, 2018 /

While the year is ending, we are celebrating a start. On December 18-19, 2017 in Pravets, Bulgaria, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), in collaboration with the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE), and supported by the European Commission, the Bulgarian State, and locally by Mr. Valentin Zlatev, organized the very first “Training Course on the Surveillance of Wildlife Diseases” with the main goal...

21 December, 2017 /

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 /

From 5-8 December 2017, Contracting Parties to the Bern Convention gathered in Strasbourg for the 37th annual meeting of its Standing Committee. Experts and NGO representatives, including FACE, joined national delegates to discuss the outcomes of activities implemented throughout 2017, in particular on the control of invasive alien species, the eradication of illegal killing of birds, the relation between biodiversity and climate change, and the management of protected areas. On invasive alien species (IAS), FACE was pleased to see that its...

16 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 /

On Tuesday, 28 November 2017, the Christmas dinner organised by FACE and the Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Firearms (ESFAM) has been the occasion for hunters and producers of sporting and hunting firearms to meet Members of the European Parliament and officials from the European Commission and Council and other organisations sensitive to the matter. The dinner hosted a fruitful debate with the aim to strengthen the relationships and the alliance between hunters, producers and decision makers in order to...

30 November, 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 /

The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in support of a more pragmatic approach to EU nature conservation. During the plenary session in Strasbourg on 15 November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the “Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy”, which was the result of the “Fitness Check” of the EU nature directives. In this resolution the Members of the European Parliament called for a flexible and adaptive approach to nature conservation, in particular it acknowledged that some populations of...

16 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 /

Manila, 28 October 2017 - For the past week in Manila, the Philippines, the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU (FACE) and the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) jointly contributed to many intense and high-level debates dealing with lead ammunition, illegal killing of birds and new listing proposals for species during the 12th Conference of Parties to the CMS. Avian Working Group At the beginning of the week, working groups discussed resolutions, decisions and listing proposals...

31 October, 2017 /

FACE and the Safari Club International (SCI) together organised a dinner debate in the European Parliament on 16 October 2017. The subject of the debate was the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), with a focus on role of trophy hunting in conservation. The evening provided a lively debate on these topics among members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, representatives Zambia and Namibia and different stakeholders, including the leadership of SCI’s...

20 October, 2017 /

Much more effective measures need to be implemented now to mitigate the increasing conflicts between humans and large carnivores in Europe. This was the main message emerging from the conference “Coexisting with Large Carnivores: Challenges and Solutions” on 17 October 2017, at the European Parliament in Brussels. The conference was hosted by MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, EPP Group, President of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on “Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside” and organised by FACE, the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the...

19 October, 2017 /

On 14 October 2017, FACE participated in the 25th Anniversary celebrations of Lovački Savez Herzeg Bosne, one of the FACE Members in Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the invitation of the Association’s President, Slavko Marin, and Secretary General, Ivica Lučić. The celebrations took place in the city of Mostar. The event gathered close to 300 people, including representatives of the country’s hunting associations, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as one CIC Vice-President. FACE gave a television...

14 October, 2017 /

From 12 to 14 October 2017, FACE attended a regional workshop of the EU Large Carnivore Platform in the Alpine region of Italy. The workshop was organised by the European Landowners’ Organisation (ELO) and EUROPARC. The goal was to provide examples of best practices of coexistence between people and large carnivores in mountainous/alpine areas. The workshop took place in the Parco Naturale Prealpi Guilie, near Venzone in Italy. At the meeting, the presentations focused on the role of communication in improving...

12 October, 2017 /

From 3 to 6 October 2017, governments, stakeholders and experts convened in Paris for the first planning workshop on the Greylag Goose International Single Species Management Plan (ISSMP). This plan is part of the Africa Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA), with the goal of applying a flyway approach to the management of an over-abundant (conflict-causing) goose species. The most important conclusion of the workshop was that sustainable hunting should be the main objective of the ISSMP. After a steep decline of...

05 October, 2017 /

The conference “Coexisting with Large Carnivores: Challenges and Solutions” is hosted by MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, President of the European Parliament Intergroup “Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside”, and organised by FACE, the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU. The conference will take place on 17 October 2017 at the European Parliament, Brussels. Recent data indicate that most large carnivore populations are stable or increasing in Europe’s densely populated multifunctional landscapes. While this trend provides a reason to celebrate, many conflicts...

05 October, 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 /

On 6-7 September, FACE celebrated its 40th anniversary in Brussels. The event coincided with FACE’s annual General Assembly, a high-level conference in the European Parliament and an exhibition on involving young hunters in nature conservation. In attendance was the Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, the Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, numerous Members of the European Parliament, representatives from European Commission as well as the delegations of European hunting associations and a wide range of other stakeholders. Conference: “Young Hunters: Securing a future for...

14 September, 2017 /

From 18-22 July 2017, FACE attended the 29th meeting of the Animals Committee (AC) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). This was the first meeting after the Conference of the Parties (CoP), which FACE attended in Johannesburg last year. This meeting sets the priorities for the coming cycle of meetings, culminating in CoP 18 in Sri Lanka. The AC gives scientific input in all the processes involving animal species. The meeting was attended...

09 September, 2017 /
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