Supports expanding hunting opportunities to control animal populations

On Thursday, the Saeima supported amendments to the Hunting Law in the second reading, which are intended to expand hunting opportunities by reducing restrictions on hunting, expanding the area available for hunting, and expanding the range of hunting gear.

Hunting opportunities need to be expanded because the population of certain animals in Latvia has increased, which has led to an increase in the damage caused by game animals to farmers and forest owners. The draft law is intended to reduce damage caused by wild game animals by increasing the efficiency of hunting - by reducing the areas where hunting is restricted and expanding the range of hunting tools.

The initial version of the amendments was submitted by deputies from both the coalition and the opposition – Andris Kazinovskis, Mārtiņš Bondars (AP), Jānis Dūklavs (ZZS), Ēriks Pucens (KPV LV), Edmunds Teirumnieks (NA) and Jānis Cielēns (JKP).

The Saeima rejected several proposals by MPs Ľubova Švecova and Evija Papule, which, as the politicians explained, were intended to protect nature and the environment.

During the debate, Papule pointed out that this bill is sensitive and that the two sides are unable to agree on “elementary things.” “Hunters, who, of course, have found more friends here, and nature lovers, who call for a certain balance between the two sides,” the MP explained. She emphasized that the committee, when considering this bill, did not receive a response from any of the responsible ministries about what the economic benefits are in one case or another.

Papule wanted to know what the fiscal benefit or harm to nature was. She also emphasized that in Europe there is talk of a green course and environmental protection, so, in her opinion, this law should be viewed in that context.

Later, the opposition member urged the MPs to submit the development of several criteria to the Cabinet of Ministers to ensure a compromise between the two sides. In her opinion, the government should find a common denominator between the two sides by listening to the responsible ministries.

Švecová pointed out that on certain issues, better solutions were found in the draft law than were initially proposed. However, on several other issues, the lobbying forces of hunters and large hunting farms in preparing the amendments were too strong to take into account the opinions of the responsible environmental advisory council and the association representing ornithologists, the MP said.

Švecová pointed out that one of the small hunters' associations opposes the provision of large areas for hunting in the draft law, as small hunting farms can respond more quickly to various situations. The MP also negatively assessed the fact that the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development has taken a passive role in the consideration of the draft law.

In turn, MP Krišjānis Feldmans (JKP) called for agreement with the wording of the amendments supported by the Saeima National Economy Committee and pointed out that the larger the hunting collective, the larger the territory under its supervision. Also, larger hunting areas allow for more sustainable management, which also ensures responsibility towards nature, because there is no need to hunt a larger number of animals in a smaller area, the MP said.

The Saeima also decided to stipulate in the law that if game animals threaten public order and safety or cause damage, hunting in urban areas is permitted in accordance with the procedures established by the local government. The local government will issue binding regulations on hunting in the city, determining the territories (zones) in which hunting is permitted and, if necessary, in addition to the restrictions established in the regulatory enactments governing the field of hunting, also determining the tools, means, methods, techniques and safety conditions to be used in hunting.

As indicated, among other things, in the annotation to the bill, as the populations of certain animals increase, the damage caused by game animals to agricultural areas and forests has increased – mainly in newly restored areas and young growths.

The deputies explain that the bill was therefore created with the aim of reducing damage to wild game animals by increasing the efficiency of hunting - reducing the areas where hunting is restricted, expanding the range of hunting tools, as well as eliminating problems identified through information gathering.

As politicians explain in the annotation to the bill, in recent years the populations of ungulates, mainly roe deer, red deer and elk, have increased significantly, and with it the density of animals per unit area. As a result, the damage caused by game animals to agricultural areas and forests has increased significantly – mainly to newly restored areas and young growths, the deputies emphasize.

"This indicates that the population density of these animals has exceeded the sustainable limit, as the animals are beginning to deplete the food base. This in turn causes significant losses for farmers and forest owners, as well as a significant increase in expenses for carrying out protection measures," the justification for the changes, which also aims to address certain technical and editorial matters, emphasizes.

The parliamentarians explain that after the adoption of the changes, damage to agricultural crops and forests by game animals will decrease. Losses to farmers and forest owners will also decrease. Wild game animal populations and hunting areas will be managed more fully. “This is a prerequisite for a positive impact on the national economy,” the annotation to the bill emphasizes.

After the adoption of the law, the State Forest Service is designated as the state institution responsible for its implementation.