Basel-Stadt: Wildlife and Hunting Law Goes to Public Consultation

The cantonal government is placing wildlife and hunting management in the canton of Basel-Stadt on a new legal footing.

The needs of wild animals are at the centre of this effort. The new legislation, now available in draft form, is designed as a bi-cantonal partnership: the cantonal government has mandated the Department of Justice and Security to conduct a public consultation on the draft proposal for a Wildlife and Hunting Law .

Bi-cantonal partnership: Wildlife vision for both Basels

In December 2015, the cantonal governments of both Basel cantons decided to expand their cooperation to include the area of hunting. As a first step, the Office for Forests of Both Basel cantons developed a wildlife vision statement (Leitbild Wild beider Basel) in close consultation with representatives of all relevant interest groups — from hunters to agriculture and forestry, recreational users, and animal and nature conservationists — which both governments adopted in April 2017. Building on this, a comprehensive revision of hunting legislation in both Basel cantons was subsequently carried out with the involvement of all stakeholders. At the same time, the groundwork was laid for the “Office for Forests and Wildlife of Both Basel Cantons,” which is intended to serve in the future as the lead authority, centre of expertise, and point of contact for regional authorities, recreational hunters, and the general public.

A paradigm shift: wildlife at the centre

In accordance with the wildlife vision statement for both Basel cantons, the approach to wild animals in planning and implementation is to be guided by their needs. The present draft cantonal hunting and wildlife law thus marks a paradigm shift, placing wild animals — their protection, promotion, and use — at the heart of consideration. Wildlife ecology and biology are accorded greater importance. In addition to the needs relating to protection, promotion, and habitat, the draft law emphasises the sustainable hunting use of huntable wildlife. In doing so, it also follows the key requirements of federal legislation and the findings from the vision statement process.

Recreational hunting is and remains an essential component of wildlife management. The legislative proposal therefore also specifies responsibilities in the area of recreational hunting (tasks, competencies, accountability). The canton primarily fulfils its overarching tasks in wildlife management. In keeping with the principle of subsidiarity, only those tasks that, while performed at the municipal level by the communes of Bettingen and Riehen, can be carried out more efficiently and effectively by the canton are additionally assigned to it. The wildlife and hunting law thus leaves the communes, wherever possible, with the broad, well-established scope of action that has proven its worth and is regarded as sensible by all parties involved, just as before. The consultation period runs until 30 September 2020. The Geneva model shows that wildlife management without recreational hunters is possible.