2 May 2024

Inhabitants of rural areas strongly oppose cruel and unjustified hunting and only 12% feel well-represented by hunting interest groups, a new survey shows. With rural inhabitants most affected by hunting policies, it’s time to change the rules.

The survey which focused on large carnivores like wolves, highlighted the broad support of rural communities towards their protection. 

Rural communities show a similar progressive approach when it comes to hunting of other species. 67% prioritise the protection of biodiversity and animal welfare over the maintaining of hunting traditions. While hunting is currently regulated differently in each Member State, 65 % of respondents called for an harmonisation of hunting practices throughout the EU, based on scientific knowledge and in application of EU legislation, especially regarding the protection of biodiversity.

7 out of 10 respondents believe that each wild animal is a sentient being that needs to be protected, and want effective non-lethal and humane wildlife management methods to be researched and implemented. 

A larger group (75%) are demanding a ban of hunting methods causing avoidable suffering to wild animals (underground hunting with dogs, glue-trap hunting, etc). This approach is largely supported by recreational hunters (68%) themselves showing broad support for policy change. 

64% of respondents want a limitation of hunting to cases where independent scientific assessments conclude that the species poses a risk to the environment or public health, clearly calling for the end of leisure hunting. Besides its impact on animals, hunting also raises public safety concerns as only 31% of respondents feel rather safe going out during hunting season and a larger group (39%) avoids going out altogether.

The survey highlights the negative impact of hunting practices on the livelihoods of EU citizens living in rural areas, and demonstrates the need for the EU to promote humane practices in the management of wild animals and finally issue clear guidelines for an efficient regulation of hunting.

This survey clearly shows that the hunting lobby does not represent the interests of rural communities. Rural citizens across the EU demand change, they want protection for themselves and for wild animals victims of cruel, unnecessary and unjustified culling, whether it concerns wolves or other species. It is time for the EU to seriously look into this and promote solutions.

Léa Badoz, Wildlife Programme Officer, Eurogroup for Animals

Hunting survey report

BROWSE TO THIS PUBLICATION

10,000 inhabitants of rural areas in Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Romania participated in the survey, which was conducted by Savanta in November 2023. The survey was commissioned by Eurogroup for Animals, Humane Society International/Europe, Fondation Brigitte Bardot, Dierenbescherming, Djurskyddet Sverige, Deutscher Tierschutzbund, World Animal Protection Denmark, World Animal Protection Netherlands, World Animal Protection Sweden and LAV.