WHAT IS HAPPENING IN FRANCE?
The French Government is once again
failing in its obligations under the EU Bird Directive to provide protection for migratory waders, ducks and other water
birds - many of whom have not completed the breeding process - by permitting hunting of certain species in August.
The problem with the current issue
is that the hunters have, in a way, won a small battle. The government made some significant concessions earlier in the year,
before the elections. Whether there was a cynical plot to revoke one or two dates after the elctions one cannot say; but might
be forgiven for thinking so! In other words the conservationists won a significant raft of concessions, a few of which have
now been revoked (or reduced), so on balance it might be claimed that they (the conservationists) have nevertheless still
achieved something positive. The hunters, on the other hand, might also be expected to feel happier although they still have
their declared objective of getting the EU Birds Directive revoked or modified.
