Attracted by the hissing sounds of a congener, thrushes or blackbirds land on stems coated with glue and find themselves stuck alive. This so-called “traditional” method of glue hunting increases the tension between hunters and animal rights activists on the one hand, and between hunters and Barbara Pompili, Minister of Ecological Transition on the other.
This Friday morning, a delegation of hunters was received at Matignon to approach the debate again in a more peaceful manner. Earlier this month, Barbara Pompili, new minister responsible for hunters, refused to sign the renewal of the quota for this hunt. In 2019, France had authorized the capture of 42,000 birds by glue.
VIDEO. Glue hunting: "We must stop sticking birds to trees!" "
“Madame Pompili is not a fan of hunting, but all the same! chokes Willy Schraen, president of the National Federation of Hunters. During our first meeting, she simply questioned an agreement that had been validated a few weeks before by Emmanuelle Wargon (Editor's note: former Secretary of State for Ecological Transition under Edouard Philippe, now Minister Delegate in charge of housing) . Moreover, it is a tiny practice, I do not understand why the Minister is dealing with such a small subject! "
The boss of the hunters reminds that, with glue, the birds do not die, they are only captured alive for their song. After being detached from their sticky trap, they must serve as a “caller” for two months before being released.
European Commission calls for accountability
“That's the theory, thrushes and blackbirds thus caught feel terrible suffering, insists Yves Verilhac, the general manager of the League for the protection of birds (LPO). Many other birds are trapped there, including species in a poor state of conservation, besides the quota is theoretical and the controls non-existent. "His association denounces" glutage "for years.
This tradition is only authorized in five departments of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and only as a derogation from the European directive on birds. Moreover, the European Commission sent a "reasoned opinion" to France in early July to justify this practice. France will probably be judged in the spring before the Court of Justice of the European Union, it could then be forced to ban glue for thrushes.
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“If at this point it's illegal, it's illegal. But why do a militant act when it is not judged? »Asks Willy Schraen. Hunters are hoping that the Prime Minister will give in, and perhaps grant a "reduced quota" compared to last year but which could allow aficionados to return to their little cabin to wait for their prey in October.
