African swine fever: hunters call for amendment of the law of compensation for agricultural damage

Belgium

The Royal Saint-Hubert Club of Belgium (RSHCB) speaks of shared responsibility in the issue of the occurrence of African swine fever and asks, in a statement released Tuesday, an amendment to the law of compensation for agricultural damage.

The club is aware of an increase in the population of wild boar in Europe, which is, according to him, yet not the cause of the occurrence of the disease. According to the RSHCB, a study published by the Organization of European Owners (ELO), attributes this increase to three factors: climate change (rising temperatures, main cause), agricultural practices (ie the emergence of "high" crops, namely rapeseed, corn …) and hunting ethics (which drives hunters to spare female wild boars and their young).

The Club wishes to see the Damage Compensation Act of 14 July 1961 adapted, so that owners or tenants of the right to hunt high crops become co-responsible for the damage. At present, it is the holder of the right to hunt for the wood from which the wild boar comes who is automatically responsible.

The RSHCB is also calling for a temporary legislative amendment in the 63,000 ha area to suspend hunting leases and responsibility for big game damage. "No hunting, no responsibility," says the Saint-Hubert Club.