Heated debate about the new hunting law: nature conservation vs. hunters' interests!

Heated debate about the new hunting law: nature conservation vs. hunters' interests!

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the amendment to the state hunting law is at the center of a heated debate. An expert hearing on this topic will take place in the State Parliament's Environment Committee on June 17, 2025. This brings together various stakeholders, including: State hunting association, the Nature Conservation Association (Nabu), the Rhineland-Nassau Farmers and Winegrowers Association as well as the Association of municipalities and cities.

The central objective of the amendment is to align hunting with forest renewal in the wake of climate change and to strengthen animal protection. While environmentalists tend to react positively to the planned change in the law, the mood among hunters is more critical. They express concerns about the revised bill presented by Environment Minister Katrin Eder (Greens). Around 80 hunters already protested against the changes in front of the state parliament daily news reported.

Forest protection and climate adaptation

A main concern of the new hunting law is the protection of the forest, in particular by introducing tree species that can cope better with drought and heat. However, hunters and forest owners face the challenge of working together to develop a plan to counteract excessive game damage. Deer and other wildlife tend to eat young shoots of new trees, making reforestation much more difficult.

If the damage is persistent, the authority may prescribe a shooting plan; Failure to comply will result in a reduction in the game population. The new law also stipulates that the training of hunting dogs on live ducks that have been briefly rendered unable to fly will be prohibited. In addition, fishing gear that kills animals immediately is no longer permitted.

Diversity and animal welfare

Another fundamental aspect of the amendment is the protection of young wild animals, especially fawns, which should be brought to safety before mowing. The aim is to increase forest biodiversity through better protection of mixed forests. Additionally, it facilitates easy removal of invasive species to support native fauna and flora.

In the next five years, only the use of lead-free ammunition will be permitted in order to minimize the impact of hunting on people and animals. The aim is to reduce bureaucracy through simplified shooting rules and digital hunting management, which will also improve cooperation between hunting tenants and property owners. Landowners now have the opportunity to participate in the hunt to achieve the kill quota.

The law also stipulates that hunters are allowed to advise municipalities and the population on how to deal with wild animals. Farmers will be able to report wildlife damage more flexibly in the future. Particular attention is also paid to the wolf, which is included in state hunting law but is subject to strict protection regulations. Killing wolves is only permitted under special conditions.

The new state hunting law is expected to come into force in April 2027. This means that the debate about the balance between hunting interests, animal protection and the necessary protection of our forests and their inhabitants will continue to gain in importance. The planned expert hearing in the state parliament will certainly lead to further exciting discussions, and the coming months could be decisive for how hunting policy will develop in Rhineland-Palatinate.
SWR provides further information.