News & Events

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 /

The project of this month reflects the problem of biodiversity loss on farmland in Europe and demonstrates how hunters contribute to nature conservation in the Netherlands. Agricultural areas in The Netherlands are increasingly becoming more intensive, industrial and monotonous. This means that wildlife from extensive managed crops and grassland is going down in many areas. For wildlife like Pheasants, Grey Partridge and in future also Hare, this represents a serious threat. They depend on a diverse landscape in which they can...

28 April, 2017 /

Examples from Europe where hunting positively influences the conservation of threatened species. In 2017, FACE gathered nine projects in five countries in Europe where hunters are involved in the conservation of threatened species. Hunting, as an activity, creates a powerful incentive for the promotion of biodiversity conservation. Species that are threatened by changing land uses and farming practices, like the Grey Partridge and the Red Grouse, can benefit from actions of hunters. It is in all our interest to conserve biodiversity;...

25 April, 2017 /

The New York Times published a great article about women hunters in Europe with a focus on Norway, where the Norges Jeger- og Fiskerforbund (NJFF) is actively encouraging more women to participate in hunting. The face of hunting is changing. In the past decade more women are joining Europe’s hunting community, actively engaging in conservation and championing sustainable hunting, and a real connection with nature. That’s why FACE is putting a special focus on women hunters. Read more about FACE’s Women Hunters...

14 April, 2017 /

On Friday 7 April, the representatives of the European hunting world gathered in Brussels for the 2017 FACE Members’ Meeting, which was focused on a new strategy for the years ahead. The FACE Members’ Meeting takes place once a year to enhance exchanges between FACE Members and to boost implementation of FACE’s positions and initiatives. This year, the meeting focused on FACE’s long term goal: To promote sustainable hunting as an integral part of European culture and a vital tool for...

10 April, 2017 /

On Thursday 6 April, FACE, the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU, in conjunction with CIC, the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, organised a workshop on “Preparing Hunters for African Swine Fever” in Brussels. African swine fever (ASF) is a highly transmissible disease affecting pigs and wild boars with serious socio-economic, wildlife and public health consequences. The disease can spread rapidly, irrespective of national borders. With regard to wildlife management and hunting, AFS can be devastating....

07 April, 2017 /

Today, the European Parliament (EP) in plenary session voted on the revision of the EU Firearms Directive and approved it. All amendments have been rejected. The provisional agreement on the revision of the EU Firearms Directive - which was agreed during the trilogue meetings, between EP, the Council and European Commission - sets out the conditions under which private persons may lawfully acquire and possess firearms or transfer them to another EU country. This agreement was previously approved by the EP...

14 March, 2017 /

On Tuesday 7th March, FACE, the Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU, organised the conference “The future of the Nature Directives: Where are we going?”, hosted by MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz and MEP Renata Briano at the European Parliament in Brussels. Recently, the European Commission (EC) published the Fitness Check evaluation of the EU Nature Directives and concluded that they remain highly relevant and fit for purpose. However, in order to fully achieve the objectives of the Nature...

08 March, 2017 /

On 6 March 2017, at the International Weapons Exhibition (IWA) and Outdoor Classics 2017 trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, FACE and the Electronic Collar Manufactures Association™ (ECMA™) strengthened their collaboration and called for greater harmonization of legislation concerning ECMA’s™ industry. With great fragmentation caused by inconsistent national approaches in the EU, ECMA™ members and dog owners are unable to benefit fully from the EU Internal Market. ECMA™’s President, Edward Phelan, highlighted the industry’s commitment to the development of innovative products such as...

07 March, 2017 /

Today, at the International Weapons Exhibition (IWA) and Outdoor Classics 2017 trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, FACE and the Association of European Manufacturers of Sporting Firearms (ESFAM) strengthened again their bond and commitment to tackle remaining critical issues of the Firearms Directive ahead of the crucial vote in the European Parliament plenary session mid of March 2017. Provisions for authorisations, licenses, including renewals and prolongations, and storage of firearms still remain unclear, with a danger of over-regulation leading to poor implementation...

06 March, 2017 /

The Languedoc-Roussillon region has two Natura 2000 sites: the “Causses du Minervois” Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which aims to preserve natural habitats and species; and the “Minervois” Special Protection Area (SPA), which aims to conserve important habitats for bird populations. Established in 2014, the main objective of these projects is to maintain and restore the favourable condition of species and habitats in the Minervois Region. Members of the Departmental Federation of Hunting in the Aude and Herault provinces are involved...

03 March, 2017 /

MPs misinformed on trophy hunting. Brussels, 1 March 2017 – A briefing paper titled ‘Trophy Hunting: UK and international policy’ by Alison Pratt and David Hirst, provides incorrect information to the Members of Parliament in the UK (MPs) and their staff on policy and sustainability aspects of trophy hunting. It is not true that EU Member States signed a Written Declaration in January 2016 calling for the examination of the possibility of restricting all import of trophies into the EU. What really...

01 March, 2017 /

Situated in the north of Scotland and with an area of 4,528 km2, the Cairngorms National Park is Britain’s largest national park. The Cairngorms National Park contains many natural habitats containing a number of rare and endangered species. In order to preserve the ecological and cultural richness of the National Park, the OpenNESS project partnered with the ‘Cairngorms Nature Strategy Group’ to assess and promote the ecosystem services and natural capital concepts in relation to sustainable land management. Since 2000, the main objective...

24 February, 2017 /

FACE, Copa & Cogeca, CEPF, ELO welcome new EU Court of Auditors report showing huge potential of Natura 2000 in protecting biodiversity but warn uptake is poor as funds difficult to access. FACE, Copa & Cogeca, CEPF, ELO welcomed in Brussels today a new EU Court of Auditors report which shows the huge potential of Natura 2000 in protecting biodiversity but warn that uptake is poor as the network is not being managed properly and funds are difficult to access. The report...

24 February, 2017 /

The Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation of the EU is pleased to announce that Mr. Ludwig Willnegger has started his employment as new Secretary General of FACE. Mr. Willnegger holds a degree in agricultural sciences and law and has both Belgian and German citizenship. He obtained his hunting license in Bavaria at the age of 16 and grew up on a farm in a family with longstanding hunting traditions. He initially worked for two years for the European farmers’...

20 February, 2017 /

The conference, organized by MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, President of the Hunting Intergroup and MEP Renata Briano, Vice-President, in cooperation with FACE, will take place on 7th March 2017 at the European Parliament in Brussels. On the 7 December 2016, the European Commissioner for Environment, Karmenu Vella, confirmed the next steps of the Fitness Check of the Birds and Habitats Directives: the European Commission will develop an implementation Action Plan to improve implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives. This Action Plan...

15 February, 2017 /
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