French environmental groups sue over animal culling decree

The French government has renewed a ministerial decree for three years that classifies nine animal species as “species likely to cause damage” (ESOD). This classification allows for the culling of foxes, martens, weasels, stone martens, Eurasian jays, magpies, carrion crows, rooks, and starlings without quotas and outside of standard hunting seasons.

Environmental associations are taking legal action to block the measure, which results in the death of approximately 1.7 million animals annually. Critics argue the policy is ineffective and ignores scientific evidence. A study by the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle found no correlation between the number of animals killed and a reduction in reported damages. Furthermore, the annual cost of these culling operations is estimated between 103 and 123 million euros, significantly exceeding the 8 to 23 million euros in reported damages.

Conservation groups, including LPO and the Société nationale de protection de la nature, have also highlighted the ecological roles these animals play, such as controlling rodent populations and aiding forest regeneration. They contend that the decision disregards public opinion, noting that 89% of the 75,000 contributions during a public consultation were unfavorable to the measure.