The European Hunting and Conservation Federation (FACE) has launched a signature campaign that argues the future of hunting and conservation is at risk. The campaign runs until June 6, when the collected signatures are to be presented to Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for the Environment. The effort has already drawn reach from around 290,000 supporters who want to defend hunting activities they deem essential to conservation and nature, and they seek to influence policy against measures they view as restrictive.
The campaign states that protecting hunting culture and Europe’s wildlife requires measures that balance bird hunting, prey species habitats, and large carnivore management with conservation needs. FACE emphasizes that much of the regulatory framework affecting hunting and conservation is shaped in Brussels, and the organization plans to present the nine requests to the European Union to address what it sees as fundamental problems in the current approach.
Proposed priorities include: a Europe that preserves biodiversity for every citizen; natural policies that encourage hunter involvement in conservation, even within protected areas; new regulations to restore natural habitats and support ecosystems for small game, especially in wetlands and farmland; a more objective, data-driven approach to hunting that respects traditional practices; alignment of large carnivore management with their conservation status under the Habitats Directive; recognizing predators as part of nature’s balance rather than a threat; clear, fair, and understandable laws for hunters; respect for cultural heritage as a cornerstone of Europe’s diversity; and Brussels addressing these issues on an international scale due to Europe’s influence worldwide.
A hunter during a hunt. (Photo credit: Unsplash) [Citation: FACE campaign materials]
FACE states that it represents the interests of about seven million hunters across Europe and sees itself as the voice of this community. It argues that nature in Europe is deteriorating in some areas, but not universally or primarily because of hunting. The organization stresses that hunters actively work to support conservation and a stable future for wildlife across the continent, yet it says some policymakers in Brussels are acting against hunting practices that remain important in many regions.
FACE contends that hunting practices are unnecessarily restricted and notes that, in some nations, predators play a key role in population recovery. When predators are managed in such contexts, it is claimed that well-managed hunting and predator control can benefit broader biodiversity. The group argues that scientific evidence is sometimes overlooked in public debates and portrays hunting as a legitimate conservation tool rather than a threat to nature.
A hunter with two dogs. (Photo credit: Unsplash) [Citation: FACE campaign materials]
FACE warns that there is an active agenda to end most traditional territorial hunting across Europe. Some leaders have even suggested ending hunting and fishing on about 10 percent of EU territory. The organization recalls that the European Commission has used infringement procedures in relation to Spain and France over dove hunting, arguing that population stability and regulatory compliance should allow responsible hunting rather than ban it. The broader implication is that Europe should balance wildlife management with sustainable hunting traditions and regional ecological realities.
Impact of community standards
The campaign highlights how Brussels shapes standards that affect hunting and conservation, including decisions about biodiversity on agricultural lands, which species may be hunted, hunting seasons, and methods. It also notes rules on firearms, ammunition, traditional hunting practices, and agricultural-environment policies that influence catchable species.
FACE describes itself as a federation of national hunting associations from 37 European countries, including 27 EU members and seven associate members. It positions itself as a democratic representative body for Europe’s hunters and a major non-governmental organization in the region. Headquartered in Brussels, FACE is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and serves as co-secretary of an intergroup in the European Parliament focused on Biodiversity, Hunting, and the Rural Environment.
Manuel Gallardo, president of the Spanish Royal Hunting Federation, characterizes the campaign as a crucial step toward engaging European policymakers with hunters to secure a future that supports both hunting and conservation. He notes concerns about recent tensions surrounding large carnivores, migratory birds, ammunition, firearms, and evolving nature-related laws. Supporters can learn more about the petition and join the effort through campaign materials and official channels [Citation: FACE campaign materials].
For more details, supporters may consult campaign resources that outline the petition and related documentation [Citation: FACE campaign materials].
Note: This article omits contact details and external links but provides attribution to the FACE campaign for referenced information and official stance [Citation: FACE campaign materials].