In a letter addressed to the provincial Minister of Economic Development, Guillermo Bernaudo, 61 non-governmental organizations requested “the suspension of hunting for 5 years” of native species – especially in preserves – “until there are reliable and participatory studies on birds and lead contamination caused by hunting.” In this order, they remember the rulings of the Justice that have declared null and unconstitutional the resolutions that enable hunting in the last two seasons. They also consider “the overwhelming rejection of this type of practices by the vast majority of Entre Ríos society.” In the letter – according to the portal It was green– request a formal hearing to express the “stance regarding the irresponsible hunting policy” that was carried out in the past administrations.
The letter sent to government authorities to suspend small game hunting was released this May 3. It is signed by the Paraná Ecological Forum, the Cebtri for the Study and Defense of Wild Birds (Ceydas), Ecoguay, Animal Aid, Animal Conscience and the Animal Law Institute of the Entre Ríos Bar Association, among others. Recognized animal and environmental institutions from all over Argentina and Uruguay also join, including Fundación Azara, Fundación Cullunche, Pumakawa, Fundación Hábitat y Desarrollo, Coendú de Uruguay, Pájaros Caídos and Association for Environmental Justice.
The public request from the entities is made known in view of what would be the imminent opening of the hunting season in Entre Ríos. Indications that suggest that the official resolution is almost a fact is given by the public hearings that have been convened to publicize population studies of ducks that have been commissioned by pro-hunting organizations and that have been questioned by the organizations. because it is biased and the work process has not been participatory.
Stake
In the note presented to Minister Bernaudo, it is pointed out that the biological studies cited as support for the regulations that have enabled hunting are incomplete, and that this is what has led the Justice Department to declare the resolutions of the Directorate of Natural Resources, No. 1,099/22 and No. 088/23 being found to be “violatory of international treaties” such as the Escazú Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. It was argued that, in addition, “hunting threatens the natural heritage of all Entre Ríos residents.”
The text also states “the overwhelming rejection of the vast majority of Entre Ríos society towards the hunting of native animals, one of the issues that Justice mentioned in the 2023 ruling is the total lack of participatory instances of dialogue, debate and consensus fostered by the State and prior to making a decision, an issue that was also referred to by both magistrates in the aforementioned sentences,” he stated. the Era Verde portal.
Precisely in the specific points of the requirement, the need to open “instances of dialogue, debate and decision-making to all those institutions interested in the subject” is raised; and “invite environmental and animal institutions to participate in the sampling of populations of anatidae and tinamids, and make available to them the methodologies used to carry out the same.”
Regarding this last aspect, the organizations point out that “both population studies and those referring to lead contamination must be carried out by universities and/or technical teams with experience in the matter, in conjunction with the provincial State, and not by organizations with obvious interests in enabling hunting, such as the Argentine Chamber of Hunting Tourism and Conservationism (CATCyC) and other hunting entities.”
Finally, the letter requests a hearing in order to make known the “stance regarding the irresponsible hunting policy carried out in recent years by the agencies that are in charge of wildlife management in the Province.” , which have not considered in the slightest the protection and conservation of the natural heritage of Entre Ríos or citizen participation.”
The note is sent to the Minister of Economic Development of Entre Ríos, Guillermo Bernaudo
