Template text: Permit requirement for hunting events
1. Motion
The Government Council is mandated to submit to the Cantonal Parliament a proposal to amend the Law on Hunting and Wildlife Protection (… law designation …) as well as the Events Ordinance (… ordinance designation …), whereby in Canton (…) public events with hunting connection that display killed wildlife, promote weapons and shooting rights, or aestheticize recreational hunting as leisure culture, shall be subject to cantonal permit requirements. The law revision must particularly ensure that
- Events where killed wildlife is publicly displayed or exhibited (game displays, trophy shows) are subject to permit requirements and can be prohibited in case of violations against animal dignity according to Art. 120 Para. 2 Federal Constitution and the Animal Welfare Act
- Hunting fairs and hunting promotional events that offer trophy recreational hunting trips or kills of protected animal species on cantonal territory are subjected to stricter examination
- Hubertus masses and comparable events in or in front of public buildings may not be conducted without permission from the location municipality
- Events that specifically introduce children and youth to recreational hunting are subject to the canton's youth protection regulations
In particular, it must be legally regulated that
- the licensing authority examines compatibility with animal welfare law and the public interest
- municipalities receive the right to ban hunting events on their territory
- recreational hunting associations must register planned public events at least 30 days before implementation
2. Brief justification
The recreational hunt as event is an essential pillar of hunting self-presentation. Hubertus masses, trophy displays, trophy shows and hunting fairs do not primarily serve to inform the public, but to normalize recreational hunting as leisure culture. Killed wild animals are staged as decorative elements and status symbols.
From an animal welfare perspective, the public display of killed animals is problematic. The constitutionally enshrined dignity of the creature (Art. 120 Para. 2 Federal Constitution) does not end with death. Particularly problematic are events that specifically target children and young people.
A licensing requirement creates a legal framework that ensures hunting events meet the same public standards as other events.