[mijke]

Hi,

From friends of us in Sweden we did get the request, to add this article in the English forum.
I hope you ‘ll take the time to read and sign (it ‘ll cost you only a few minutes and it would be a great help!)
Thanks in advance !

Greetings,
Mijke

Bad news from Sweden!

New law changes have been made by the Swedish Minister of Agriculture.
These laws are unfavourable for the Scandinavian wolf.
It will be possible to shoot wolves who are inside a fence with cattle, even when this fence is only a single rope!
There is also a law proposition being made to shoot wolves in their own territory surprised by hunting dogs during the so called “standskall” hunt.
These law changes are in contradiction with the EU habitat directive!
For a long time there have been measures to protect cattle and pets against predators ( electrical fences, use of sheepdogs, bells and protecting vests for hunting dogs), but these measures are not actively promoted and thereby very seldom used!
Even the minister seems not aware of these conflict preventing possibilities, there for this PETITION!!
The name list is presented to the minister, and there is a letter on its way to the EU and a public letter is soon to be published in the Swedish press.

This is the English version of the petition.
Those who agree with the text can sign this petition on the link underneath….

(1)
I feel that measures to prevent possible conflicts between predators and pets (cattle, dog) should have priority over the shooting of predators after a conflict already has taken place, and at least should be legislated.
Examples of these measures are approved predator deterrent electrical fences for cattle, sheepdogs, radio transmitters on free running cattle, use of bells on hunting dogs to scare off wolves, training of dogs to avoid wolf tracks and scents and a ban on hunt with free running hunting dogs of certain breeds.

(2)
I feel that the changes of paragraph 28, namely the legal permission to shoot wolves even before they attack cattle within the fence and free running hunting dogs in the field gives the possibility to abuse and can result in situations that hunters will be seduced to shoot wolves in hunting areas without the wolves being in the neighbourhood of dogs or farmers shooting wolves that are no way near a fence but will be placed in there after being shot..
I also feel that the risk increases that other dogs will be shot that are walking with their bosses.

(3)
I feel there should be a minimum quality demand on the fences that surround meadows with cattle if one gets the possibility to shoot predators who are inside the palisade. Moreover the quality should be a deciding factor with the calculation of the amount of compensation for the lost of cattle. Damage costs should be sufficient and as soon as possible paid.

(4)
I feel that the agreements that Sweden has with the EU and other
international organisations about the protection of endangered species
should be respected and not be misused by creative definitions of Swedish laws, as just has been done after firm pressure from Swedish
hunting organisations regarding the hunt on Lynxes.

(5)
I think that a larger part of the fund for wildlife management in Sweden should be used to fight the major threats to the wolf population, namely the genetic (inbreeding) problems and the widespread poaching towards predators.
Any possible import of Russian or Finnish wolves with a different genetic
background should be no limitation to obtain a viable Scandinavian
population.

(6)
I think that legal punishment for poaching predators should be sufficient to maintain a preventive protection and should provide the possibility to
forbid the sentenced the possession of hunting weapons and the possibility to participate in future hunting party’s.
Such measures are also suitable for persons that try to hide knowledge of
poaching activities.

(7)
I feel that the decision of solutions of predator issues should be the
concern of the entire population and not only of certain groups of interests (hunters, farmers).
The actual situation with a predate or counsel almost entirely manned by persons with hunting interests, is not sufficient and is absolutely not a representation of the Swedish population.

(
I feel that some specific kinds of hobby hunting, such as with dogs that are not in direct contact with the hunter (drive hunt, bark stand) are unethical, because the dogs as well as (endangered) wildlife are under severe risks of being hurt or killed.


Sign your name correctly if you agree! The list of names will be presented
to the Minister of Agriculture of Sweden!

Sincerely

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/nordulv/petition.html

http://wolftracks.web-log.nl/