France: Glue Stick Hunting for Songbirds Is Illegal
The ECJ confirms: glue stick hunting for songbirds in France violates EU law. Tradition is no justification for animal cruelty.
In France, songbirds are caught using adhesive substances: so-called glue stick hunting is actually banned in the EU.
ECJ: Glue stick hunting violates EU law
Recreational hobby hunting for birds using so-called glue sticks is fundamentally contrary to EU law. This follows from a ruling handed down by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). It is highly likely that birds caught accidentally would suffer irreparable harm. (Case C-900/19)
Animal welfare advocates oppose glue stick hunting
It is illegal to eat songbirds. Yet not everyone abides by this. In southern France, the ortolan continues to end up on the plate in some regions. An estimated 30,000 ortolans are caught each year.
This contradicts bird protection programmes in the EU
The fact that France is slow to act against poaching naturally also undermines costly bird protection programmes in other EU member states. In Italy too, bramblings and chaffinches are hunted as delicacies — by more than 800,000 registered hobby hunters.
