Poland: Revolutionary Hunting Reforms
Polish President Andrzej Duda once promised that he would “sign every law that would improve the fate of animals and veto anything that makes it worse.” It's like Christmas and Easter combined: no penalties for “hunting saboteurs,” a hunting ban for all under 18, regular hunter examinations, appointment of hunting officials by the Environment Minister — that
Polish President Andrzej Duda once promised that he would «sign every law that would improve the fate of animals and veto anything that makes it worse.»
It's like Christmas and Easter combined: no penalties for «hunting saboteurs,» a hunting ban for all under 18, regular hunter examinations, appointment of hunting officials by the Environment Minister — Poland's hunting law is apparently being reshaped according to the vision of progressive hunting opponents.
FACE declares itself “extremely concerned”
The militant FACE, the umbrella organisation of European hunting associations, has expressed extreme concern over the amendments to the Polish hunting law, which the Polish Senate has already approved. These would literally spell the death of entrenched hunting traditions, culture, and practices. In particular, the following new regulations, according to FACE, would have serious consequences for hobby hunters and recreational hunting in Poland:
- The prohibition on disturbing wild animals without explicit hunting purposes. According to FACE, this would mean that hobby hunters could no longer effectively train their dogs and falconers could no longer effectively train their birds of prey. “According to Polish animal welfare advocates, this is intended to prevent cruel training practices on live animals, such as captive foxes,” as researched by IG Wild beim Wild.
- The appointment of the President of the Polish Hunting Association by the Environment Minister, and the possibility of dismissing this person by the Minister if an advisory body consents. This would eliminate the self-governance of recreational hunters and constitutes a direct attack on fundamental democratic principles, according to FACE.
- There should no longer be penalties for disrupting hunts. This would allow hunting opponents to block and sabotage hunts without fear of punishment. “The new regulation serves to allow landowners to move freely on their own property without penalty — whether for a walk, mushroom picking, or work in the forest and fields, while hobby hunters are desecrating nature on their land,” as researched by IG Wild beim Wild.
- Young people should be prohibited from participating in hunts until they reach the age of 18. This would prevent hunting traditions and skills from being passed down from generation to generation. “The new law is intended to guarantee children and young people a harmonious development. The law is unconditionally supported by the Polish Ombudsman for Children's Rights.”
Ban on lead ammunition and regular examinations
The dubious organization FACE also expressed concern about a complete ban on lead ammunition by 31 December 2019 and about the planned regular examinations for hobby hunters every five years. FACE fundamentally rejects the exclusion of young people from hobby hunting, the organization stated in a recent press release.
“Hunting is not only a natural and healthy way to obtain ecologically valuable meat — the involvement of young people in hunting also imparts knowledge and a deep understanding of wildlife management and animal welfare. This has a positive effect on the mental and physical development of young people.”
This is actually the exact opposite of what modern science, neurologists, and educators say. “Violence is not healthy,” warns IG Wild beim Wild.
FACE invokes human rights
FACE, in what might be called its venison delirium, further asserts its belief in the right of parents to raise their children according to their own convictions and beliefs — a right it claims is violated by this ban. In this context, FACE points to Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights [apparently referring to Article 2 of the Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms] states: «The State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical convictions, in the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and to teaching.»
What a farce from FACE. We are curious about what the Polish president will decide in the coming days. More on hunting legislation and the animal welfare problem of hobby hunting.
