1. The FACE Biodiversity Manifesto
Hunters’ contribution
to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020
Charlotte Simon
Nature Policy Officer, FACE
CGBN meeting - Brussels
17 March 2016

2. European Federation of Associations for Hunting and Conservation (FACE)
Represent our members, the national associations of hunters from 35 countries, which in turn account for 7 million hunters;
Liaise with policy/decision-makers on topics relevant for sustainable hunting activities;
Clarify legal, environmental and socio-economic matters;
Work with many stakeholders.

3. The Problem: Biodiversity Loss
EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2010
Objectives not achieved
Mid Term Review of the Biodiversity Strategy 2020
“The verdict is crystal clear… without substantial additional efforts, the EU will in 2020 again fail to achieve its agreed targets” (ENVI Committee).
Is the 2020 target achievable?
“2020 targets are achievable”… “enormous potential for improvement”… (ENVI Committee).
“There is ample evidence of major efforts by stakeholders that have resulted in positive local trends in biodiversity. These examples send an important message that targeted action on the ground can bring very positive results. They provide models for guiding implementation in the second half of the strategy.”
Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council – The Mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020

4. The FACE Biodiversity Manifesto
Hunters rely on biodiversity
Hunters contribute to biodiversity
For hunting to remain possible:
Hunters need to take into account the national and international frameworks for biodiversity conservation
Those frameworks need to take into account hunting activities and their contribution to biodiversity
Biodiversity Manifesto’s objectives
Demonstrate to policy-makers and public the contribution of hunting to biodiversity;
Encourage a better coordination of this contribution amongst the hunting community that is in line with the international priorities for nature conservation.

5. FACE Biodiversity Manifesto
Structure: 34 actions gathered under 8 sections
Habitats
Species
Protected areas
Sustainable use
Green Infrastructure
Ecosystem services
Investing in Nature
Hunters for Nature
For more information:

6. The FACE Biodiversity Manifesto

7. Report highlights
181 case studies gathered and mapped against the actions related to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020

8. Report highlights
Environmental NGOs/trusts are involved in a third of the case studies gathered;
Collaboration with universities or research bodies has been demonstrated in a quarter of the case studies gathered;
Hunters financially support(ed) 35% of the 181 case studies, either entirely or partially;
24 case studies were also partly or entirely supported by EU funds;

9. The visible part of the iceberg…
BDM highlights
Out of the 181 case studies:
Research/monitoring and management of habitats/species are the most represented actions in the current dataset.
Wetlands and forests are the most common habitats managed by hunters (where specified).
Around a fifth of the case studies are conducted on Natura 2000 sites.
The majority of hunters’ actions focus on birds and/or game species and a fifth deals with non-huntable species and/or migratory species.
The visible part of the iceberg…
Each of the 8 sections are represented with more detailed figures
The 181 case studies are not exhaustive
In the course of 2016, a website devoted to the Biodiversity Manifesto and the demonstration of hunters’ actions for biodiversity will be launched.
For more information:

10. Conclusion Greater focus on what is already happening at local level
 Not always necessary to reinvent the wheel
 More rooms for consensus and common objectives
Enhance the dialogue with stakeholders
 Avoiding the ideological debate
 Should be more often seen as partners
FACE strongly believes the 2020 targets need higher priority  with a multi-stakeholder approach
Simplify the access to funding
 More small grants avoiding administrative burden
 Greater MS flexibility on CAP Pillar II payments
Greater MS flexibility on CAP Pillar II payments
Good to say that Member States should design their agri-environmental schemes with greater flexibility.
For example, we included this recommendation in our Annex II report on the Status of Birds:
Ensure that Pillar II (agri-environmental) incentives provide suitable mechanisms to allow for the creation and management of habitats for huntable bird species. Such mechanisms may have a greater uptake by farmers and support the ongoing conservation investments by the hunting community

11. Thank you for your attention