Rapid increase in wild boar population
23.3.2022
Question for written answer E-001186/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Athanasios Konstantinou (NI)
Partly as a result of COVID restrictions on hunting, the last two years have seen an exponential increase in the wild boar population in Greece. This is causing a large number of road accidents involving collisions with wild boar attempting to cross the road, causing enormous damage and putting vehicle drivers and passengers at risk.
In just one evening, a small sounder of wild boars is capable of destroying an entire crop, placing an enormous burden on the rural economy.
According to University studies, the most recent having been carried out by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a new approach to hunting is necessary as a major part of a comprehensive population culling and containment policy.
In view of this
- 1.Can the Commission say whether it is in favour of subsidising organised boar hunts, given that high costs (of fuel, equipment, vehicles and dogs), combined with low average earnings in Greece, have effectively limited hunting activity?
- 2.Does it consider it necessary to provide farmers with immediate and rapid compensation to help keep them afloat, especially by meeting the cost of replacing destroyed crops?