Spanish Hunters Demonstrate their Role in Rural Affairs and Conservation

“Great success” are the words that best define the demonstration that took place in Madrid on the 1st of March to protest and to show complete disagreement against the recently approved law “Ley del Patrimonio Natural y la Biodiversidad”.

While the weather was bright and shiny in Madrid, buses, cars and trains were arriving from all over the country. The meeting point was at the Paseo de la Castellana, Madrid’s main avenue, and from 12 o’clock everyone marched calmly and respectfully towards the Ministry of Environment.

The march was headed by Dieter Schramm, President of the CIC, Andres Gutierrez, Chairman of the National Hunting Federation, Pedro Barato, head of National Young Farmers Association (ASAJA) and Juan Antonio Sarasketa, head of the National Hunting Office and Gilbert de Turckheim, President of FACE.

Behind came the flags of all the 17 autonomous regions, the Spanish national flag and the European Union flag. After came the tractors, hawkers, greyhounds, packs of hounds, local hunting associations, men, women, youngsters, children from every corner of Spain – all with different backgrounds, but all united in the passion for hunting and the countryside.

Once everyone had gathered in front on the Ministry, it was time for the speeches and the Manifesto with all the demands from the people. Mr. Schramm pointed out how good it was that hunters from all over Europe speak up and that their voices are being taken into account. Mr. Gutierrez remarked how this demonstration has set a unique and very important milestone in the hunting history of Spain: “never before have around 250,000 people gathered united to defend hunting, the countryside and conservation…”

The demonstration was not one of political motivation, the objective was to show the Environment Minister, Mrs. Narbona the total disapproval and rejection of the law, which she managed to pass through the congress, and how this is a direct attempt against private property, the hunting traditions, hunters and rural affairs in general.

Finally, Mr. Gutierrez asked Mrs. Narbona to resign as Minister, and pointed out that if she does not take into account our demands in September before the new hunting season starts, we shall return…


CIC Spanish Delegation

Fuente: Geroa