“A first in France”, according to the Bird Protection League (LPO).
A poacher who hunted protected birds, in particular with glue, was sentenced Monday to nine months in prison in Toulon (Var), say Wednesday lawyers of the LPO and the hunter.
To this sentence is added a suspension of three months, to which this repeat offender was sentenced in 2014, specified Me Mathieu Victoria, counsel for the LPO, civil party in this case, confirming information from Var-Matin.
The poacher, a 76-year-old retired farmer, was absent from his trial due to illness.
"He was caught with 75 robins", according to Mathieu Victoria.
The hunter without a license was also sentenced to a fine of 5,000 euros and nearly 20,000 euros in damages to be paid to the civil parties, including the LPO.
In addition to robins, "which are traditionally served on skewers in the Var", according to Me Victoria, and which the defendant caught using traps, the poacher also practiced glue hunting for another protected species, the alder siskin.
"We wanted to make an example, we hit hard", said Me Elodie Gozzo, who regretted "a contempt for traditions", arguing that his client, an elderly person, had "not the same references in terms environment than a 30-year-old ”.
The president of the LPO Yves Verilhac estimated that this prison sentence constitutes "a first in France for protected birds".
According to him, “France is one of the worst countries in Europe for bird poaching, along with Italy and Spain”.
France, last EU country to allow slime hunting
Glue hunting is currently suspended in France - the last EU country to allow it - pending the decision of the EU Court of Justice referred to by the Council of State.
In July, the European Commission also once again called on France to put an end to “illegal hunting and to re-examine its methods of capturing birds”, pointing out in particular the hunting of glue, for thrushes, and with fillets, for larks.
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Glue hunting
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We must stop sticking birds to trees
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These non-selective hunting methods are prohibited by a 2009 directive on the protection of birds, except on derogations according to strict conditions "which are not fulfilled" by France.
During the weekend, in Marseille, the Association of Defenders of Traditional Hunts deplored the destruction of several hunting stations on the heights of Marseille, in particular with glue, denouncing the action of "ecoterrorists" in La Provence.