Beyond the scope of what happened on Sunday, when admittedly the Movement of United Hunters turned a symbolic protest into almost a two hour long traffic chaos, complete with barbecues, today public opinion has turned the page to the potentially catastrophic elements of their demands on the environment.
Namely, training hunting dogs (mostly savagely neglected when no longer needed) throughout the year and including Natura 2000 Zones, to the detriment of the major habitats. What’s been discussed at grassroots level is the way in which a Movement delegation held talks yesterday with Interior Minister Constandinos Ioannou to discuss demands, without a single reference to the widespread problems caused on the Nicosia-Limassol highway. ‘We’re sorry’, the Movement repeated.
Following the Ioannou meeting, Head of United Hunters Movement Nicolas Prodromou critisised the media for focusing on the fact that what was agreed with the police, namely a few minutes long blockade of the highway was clearly not kept and in addition, referred to demands that have already been pushed forward by authorities.
The real reason, mentioned in the closing Prodromou remarks, was all year dog training, even during periods of wildlife reproduction, with the Interior Ministry promising to keep evaluating the situation. The United Hunters were left highly satisfied and the ministry referred to a positive and constructive climate.
On the issue of increasing the dog training areas, even during the nesting and reproduction period, the Interior ministry explained that restrictions are in line with the 2009 European directive on preserving wild birdlife, with the Gaming Service promising to continue assessment of every area and announce any amendments, always in line with the relevant national legislation and the government’s European commitments.
But mostly, having in mind the protection of the island’s fauna.
The United Hunters Movement, not affiliated to the Hunting and Wildlife Management Federation is essentially demanding the removal of three directives requiring hunters to train their dogs between March 7th 2025 to July 14th 2025 in 42 designated areas, seeking to extend training throughout the government controlled areas.
The Interior Minister briefed hunters that other demands such as raising sentences for poaching and enforcing fines on the spot, are being looked into by the Gaming Service, including relevant legislation submitted to the Legal Service last December. This also provides authority for the use of cameras and drones by members of the Gaming Service.
It was also explained to hunters that their demand to regulate the development of photovoltaic parks, (which limit hunting grounds), has already been implemented by the ministry for more than a year now, as all new applications for photovoltaic parks have been frozen since May 2023, with exclusion and restricted areas also set.
The United Hunters Movement will be meeting Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou next month, focusing on fishermen demands and Natura 2000 zones. Nicolas Prodromou said that if demands are met, then hunters will take a step back, otherwise they will push forward with further protests.
Meanwhile, the Hunting Federation has set its position apart, making clear that it does not condone practices causing public disturbance and clarifying it was in no way involved with organising the protest.
