Europe vs Paloumayres
- The European Commission is taking France to the Court of Justice of the European Union, citing non-compliance with the 2009 bird directive. At issue is France's allowance of...
- Net hunting, particularly in southwestern France, is a deeply ingrained tradition.
- The "palombière," or hunting lodge, fosters a convivial atmosphere.
France Faces EU Court Action Over Customary Hunting Practices
Table of Contents
- France Faces EU Court Action Over Customary Hunting Practices
- France Faces EU Court Action Over Customary Hunting Practices: Your Questions Answered
- What is the core issue driving the European Commission’s action against France?
- What is net hunting, and where is it practiced in France?
- How does the process of net hunting work?
- What is a “palombière”?
- Which bird species is the focus of this hunting practice?
- Why is the ramier pigeon population relevant to this EU action?
- How has the ramier pigeon population changed in recent years?
- Why is the ramier pigeon population thriving?
- What is the difference between net hunting and other hunting methods used in France?
- Why is the European Commission taking action now?
- What are the arguments against net hunting?
- What is the significance of this legal action for French hunting traditions?
- What is the stance of French hunters and their federation (FNC)?
- How many “palombières” are in the Gironde region?
- What are the estimated numbers of ramier pigeons in Europe?
- What are the key differences between net hunting and rifle hunting?
The European Commission is taking France to the Court of Justice of the European Union, citing non-compliance with the 2009 bird directive. At issue is France’s allowance of net hunting, a practice the Commission seeks to abolish entirely, despite France already eliminating many other traditional hunting methods.
The Tradition of Net Hunting
Net hunting, particularly in southwestern France, is a deeply ingrained tradition. Starting Oct. 1, hunters, known locally as “paloumayres,” head into the forests. In the months leading up to the season,they prepare hunting huts,clear the ground,and strategically trim trees to position decoys. For five to six weeks, they live in these secluded woodland spots, carefully watching the skies for migrating birds.
The “palombière,” or hunting lodge, fosters a convivial atmosphere. Hunters gather to share food and drink while awaiting the arrival of the birds. The passage of the birds can be unpredictable. After days of waiting, flocks appear, flying over the hunting installations. Decoys lure the birds closer, and hunters hidden below imitate bird calls to draw them toward the nets.The decision to deploy the nets is carefully considered, balancing the desire to capture the entire flock against the risk of scaring them away.
Different net hunting techniques exist. In the Basque Country, hunters use “pantières,” straight nets stretched across valleys. Spotters on neighboring hills signal the approach of a flock, and hunters imitate birds of prey to drive the birds toward the nets.
Ramier Pigeon Population Boom
The ramier, or wood pigeon, is thriving, to the point of being considered by some as an invasive species. Its population has doubled in the last 20 years. The bird is now classified as a species likely to cause damage in many French departments.
In Great Britain, the ramier pigeon is hunted year-round. The reasons for its proliferation are not fully understood, but the abundance of corn cultivation in france and Europe is believed to contribute to its food supply. The species breeds multiple times a year, laying two eggs each time. while considered ordinary game in northern France, south of the Garonne River, the ramier pigeon holds a special cultural importance.
The Stakes for French Hunting
in the Gironde region alone, net hunting is practiced in approximately 1,500 “palombières.”
While nearly 20,000 wood pigeons are captured annually by net hunters, this represents only 20% of the 100,000 birds taken each year in the department. The remaining 80,000 are hunted with rifles. Experts say this is a small sample in biomass, and the species continues to flourish. European estimates place the ramier pigeon population between 18.9 million and 25.9 million, with a 137% increase in nesting observed in France in 2024.
Willy Schraen, president of the hunters’ federation, criticized the european Commission’s stance. “Once again, the European Commission shows unbearable ideological relentlessness against French hunting,” Schraen said.
The FNC, in conjunction with the ministry, intends to vigorously defend the practice. They argue that the issue extends beyond net hunting, representing a broader struggle to preserve French hunting traditions against what they see as overreaching regulations.
France Faces EU Court Action Over Customary Hunting Practices: Your Questions Answered
What is the core issue driving the European Commission’s action against France?
The European Commission is taking France to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) as of non-compliance with the 2009 bird directive. At the heart of the matter is France’s allowance of net hunting, a practice the Commission seeks to abolish.
What is net hunting, and where is it practiced in France?
Net hunting is a traditional practice, notably in southwestern France where hunters, known as “paloumayres,” participate in an established hunting season.
How does the process of net hunting work?
The net hunting season typically begins on October 1st. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Preparation: Hunters prepare hunting huts (“palombières”), clear the ground, and strategically trim trees to position decoys.
Observation: For five to six weeks, hunters watch the skies for migrating birds.
Attracting Birds: Decoys and imitation bird calls are used to lure birds toward the nets.
Deployment: Deployment of the nets is a carefully considered decision.
* Techniques: in the Basque Country,hunters employ “pantières,” a technique using straight nets stretched across valleys.
What is a “palombière”?
A ”palombière” is the hunting lodge or hut used by net hunters. It serves as a gathering place where hunters share food and drink while awaiting the arrival of birds.
Which bird species is the focus of this hunting practice?
The target bird is the ramier pigeon, also known as the wood pigeon.
Why is the ramier pigeon population relevant to this EU action?
The ramier pigeon population has notably increased. Some consider it an invasive species. This population boom is central to the debate surrounding hunting practices.
How has the ramier pigeon population changed in recent years?
The ramier pigeon population has doubled in the last 20 years.Nesting has increased 137% in France in 2024.
Why is the ramier pigeon population thriving?
While not fully understood, the abundance of corn cultivation in France and Europe is believed to contribute to the ramier pigeon’s food supply. Additionally,the species breeds multiple times a year,laying two eggs each time.
What is the difference between net hunting and other hunting methods used in France?
While an estimated 20,000 pigeons are captured annually by net hunters, 80,000 more are captured with rifles. Net hunting represents a minority of the total pigeon hunting in the region.
Why is the European Commission taking action now?
The European Commission cites non-compliance with the 2009 bird directive as the reason for taking France to the CJEU. The core issue revolves around the legality of net hunting.
What are the arguments against net hunting?
The European Commission seeks to abolish net hunting. The specific arguments are not detailed in the source material, but it is likely that the commission believes the practice contravenes the bird directive and is unsustainable or harmful to bird populations.
What is the significance of this legal action for French hunting traditions?
The French hunters’ federation views the EU’s action as a challenge to French hunting traditions. It sees this as a broader struggle to preserve customary hunting practices against what they perceive as overreaching regulations.
What is the stance of French hunters and their federation (FNC)?
The FNC (Fédération Nationale des Chasseurs) intends to vigorously defend the practice, arguing that the issue extends beyond net hunting and represents a broader effort to fight regulations that undermine French hunting traditions. The president of the hunters’ federation, Willy Schraen, has criticized the European Commission’s stance.
How many “palombières” are in the Gironde region?
Net hunting is practiced in approximately 1,500 “palombières” in the Gironde region alone.
What are the estimated numbers of ramier pigeons in Europe?
European estimates place the ramier pigeon population between 18.9 million and 25.9 million.
What are the key differences between net hunting and rifle hunting?
| Feature | Net Hunting | Rifle Hunting |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Method | Using nets to capture birds | Using rifles to shoot birds |
| Target | Ramier Pigeons (Wood Pigeons) | Ramier Pigeons (Wood Pigeons) |
| Percentage of Total Harvest | 20% in Gironde region | 80% in Gironde region |