ThoseAuthorize defense fire? –Faced with the wolf, Berne is thinking of arming the shepherds
Albert Rösti’s services have looked at an assessment of the measure for the first time. A full report on his implications is expected.
Posted: 04.05.2025, 10:07 am
The Environment Commission asked for a report on the defense against wolves.
ALESSANDRO CRINARI/KEYSTONE
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- The federal administration studies the possibility of authorizing defense shots against wolves.
- The Environment Commission unanimously asked for a report on this measure.
- The Detec should present its conclusions this year again.
- The fact remains that such an authorization raises important questions in terms of security.
A peasant who shoots a loup which would directly threaten a calf. A shepherd who watches over his herd, armed with a rifle. These situations are illegal today, but could be authorized tomorrow. The federal administration is currently working on the issue of defense fire. A subject that has not been taboo since last summer.
In August 2024the Environment, Regional and Energy Planning Commission (CEAT) of the National Council has indeed responsible the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communication (DETEC) to look into defense fire against wolves.
Defense shooting is prohibited. In the Valley of Joux (VD), the wolves are frightened to prevent them from attacking the herds.
FLORIAN CELLA
His first conclusions were sent to the Commission at the start of the year. They analyze in particular French legislation, which knows the defense shots, and evaluate the legislative changes necessary to make in Switzerland if it had to be introduced.
On this basis, CEATE wishes to push reflection further. In a postulate tabled in February, it now requires a full report. If this request is yet to be officially supported in Plenum in June, the fact that it is supported unanimously and that the Federal Council also proposes to accept it shows that it will only be a simple formality.
“Ultimate measurement”
For Christine Bulliard-Marbach (the Center/FR), a member of the CEAT, this support is not surprising. “The population of wolves has increased so much that all the cantons are now concerned, and no longer only Valais and Graubünden. This theme, which has been concerned for so long, remains burning and there is a lot of dissatisfaction in the way the wolf is regulated. In particular the question of shooting authorizations. Is it the Confederation that must have the last word, the cantons or the people who would be threatened by the animal? Faced with these questions, we want answers. This is why the commission – unanimous – asked for a report on defense fire. ”
His goal? Identify the opportunities and risks of such a measure. “It is in particular to analyze the consequences of such a modification from the point of view of skills, costs, effects and possible implementation,” specifies the CEAT. Finally, the aim is to anticipate the contours of a possible legal adaptation allowing to register the defense shots against wolves in the law in force.
Questioned in more detail about this project, the Federal Office of the Environment does not wish to express themselves for the moment, since Parliament must still seize this object.
Caution that Sidney Kamerzin includes (the center/vs). “Defense shooting is sort of ultimate measurement. The one that intervenes if all regulation measures failed. If I am in favor of it, I am also aware that it would ask many questions in terms of security and training. Because it would amount to issuing an authorization to carry weapons to certain categories of people. It is undoubtedly from there that the restraint of the authorities comes. ”
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Florent Quiquerez is a journalist at the Swiss section since 2015. Specializing in politics, he covers federal news above all. Previously, he worked as a parliamentary correspondent for the French -speaking regional radios.More info
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