France: Ammunition soon available at tobacco shops
Sale of ammunition in tobacco shops: anti-hunting associations react to the government's plan.
From January 2024, tobacco retailers in France will be able to sell ammunition to hobby hunters.
On 24 November 2023, the tobacco retailers' association confirmed that discussions are taking place among professionals, as well as with hobby hunters and the Ministry of the Interior, regarding the authorisation of the sale of hunting ammunition. An idea that animal welfare associations find unsatisfactory.
A supervised sale
This development pleases tobacco retailers. With a significant decline in tobacco purchases, their main source of revenue, the profession of tobacco retailer must constantly evolve. “In rural areas, you have to travel 20 to 30 km to find this product. We are often the last shop on the corner, so it can do some good,” explains Philippe Laveau, President of the Trade Union Chamber of Tobacco Retailers and Tobacconists of the Montdidier department.
“As for the sale of this product at their premises, I think it will also be kept under lock and key,” assures Rémy Delory, an employee of the firearms chamber in Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. Indeed, it is impossible to purchase ammunition cartridges at the snap of a finger. You need a valid ID and a current hunting licence.
According to associations, a “bait ” to support hobby hunters
According to Philippe Laveau, the measure will truly be “ready in thefirst quarter ”. “We will in particular need to wait for a prefectural agreement,”he adds. In order to obtain a sales permit, tobacconists must complete a two-day training course. Animal welfare advocates find this decision “laughable”.
According to One Voice, this decision is nothing but a “lure to continue supporting hobby hunters at any cost". It calls on the public to sign a petition so that the government carries out a radical reform of hunting, and reminds readers that this practice is "neither a leisure activity nor an art of living ".
