FACE - European Federation for Hunting and Conservation

14/10/2026

The Lead Phase-Out Couldn't Be Stopped. The Goal Was the Best Outcome | We, the Hunters #10
https://youtu.be/cjU-tT8s8Go

14/10/2026

The Lead Phase-Out Couldn't Be Stopped. The Goal Was the Best Outcome | We, the Hunters #10 👉 https://youtu.be/cjU-tT8s8Go
Could the EU lead shot restriction have been stopped? What really happened behind the scenes, and what role did FACE play in shaping the final outcome?

14/10/2026

🚨 African Swine Fever spreads beyond the core outbreak area in Finland!
🇫🇮 Finland's Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) reported 15 new cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) on 13 October 2026. Several were detected outside the existing core outbreak area, raising concerns about further spread.
🐗 Where were the new cases found?
📍 Lappeenranta: An infected, visibly sick wild boar was shot approximately 5 km northeast of the current core area. As a result, authorities are preparing to expand the core zone in the coming days.
📍 Pyhtää: Old skeletal remains of two wild boar that had died from ASF were discovered outside the core area, around 10 km southwest of a previous finding from late August.
📍 Virolahti: ASF was also confirmed in old wild boar remains outside the core area, in a location where infected remains had previously been discovered.
🔬 The Finnish Food Authority is continuously assessing whether the infection zone and additional restriction zone need to be expanded. Further information on possible changes is expected this week.
Early detection, reporting of dead or sick wild boar, and cooperation between hunters and veterinary authorities are essential for ASF surveillance and control.
Source: Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto), 13 October 2026.
https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/elaimet/elainten-terveys-ja-elaintaudit/elaintaudit/ajankohtaista-elaintaudeista/afrikkalaista-sikaruttoa-loytyi-ydinalueen-ulkopuolelta-lappeenrannasta-pyhtaalta-ja-virolahdelta/?fbclid=IwY2xjawU8GMxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5S9iUsRLD4j5srQvqHaHY_7G2_1mfVKQw_H0hMY0K_kpcg9qfYj7rR9xdPXA_aem_pwr5SgXMHslXRV9iaF55Mw

14/10/2026

🐇 What can hare paws tell us about the future of hare populations?
🇫🇷 In France, the Fédération des chasseurs de l'Oise has collected more than 300 European hare forepaws, thanks to the participation of local hunters!
🔬 By examining these samples, researchers can estimate the proportion of young hares in the hunting bag and assess reproductive success.
📊 The first results show an encouraging improvement:
✅ Young hares account for 35% of the analysed hunting bag, compared with 26% last year.
🦊 However, the survival of young hares remains a concern. The federation highlights strong predation pressure, particularly from foxes, as one of the factors affecting leveret survival.
A final round of X-ray analysis is planned for the end of October to confirm the trend.
💚 This is a great example of how hunters contribute to wildlife monitoring and science! By collecting biological samples and sharing field data, hunters help improve our understanding of wildlife populations and support informed conservation and management decisions.
👏 Well done to the Fédération des chasseurs de l'Oise and all participating hunters!

13/10/2026

🌿 “Investing in nature is not a nice-to-have. It is a necessity.”
https://youtube.com/shorts/4zWa8wJP0Lg
At the European Parliament, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall addressed questions on the future of EU nature conservation, the Nature Restoration Regulation, wildfire prevention and the need for more effective environmental legislation.
Speaking at “The Stress Test of the Nature Directives: Next Steps for Wildlife Conservation and Management in Europe” on 29 September 2026, Commissioner Roswall stressed that protecting nature is not only an environmental responsibility but also an economic necessity.
While expressing her strong support for the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, she emphasised the importance of openly assessing whether existing legislation remains fit for purpose in today's rapidly changing world.
🌲 Key messages from her intervention:
Nature restoration should be seen as an investment in Europe's future, including greater resilience to wildfires and droughts.
Environmental protection and economic competitiveness are interconnected.
According to figures she cited from the European Central Bank, seven out of ten European industries depend on at least one ecosystem.
The EU must improve coherence between environmental policies, agricultural policy and nature restoration.
Water resilience must become a central political priority.
“When those ecosystems are broken or destroyed, of course that comes with an economic risk.”
The event was hosted by MEP Juan Ignacio Zoido (EPP, Spain) and co-organised by the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) and the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO).
The debate brought together Members of the European Parliament, European Commission representatives, hunters, landowners and conservation experts to discuss how Europe's nature legislation can deliver better results on the ground.
🎥 Watch Commissioner Roswall's response and her vision for connecting nature conservation, economic resilience and practical EU policymaking.

🌿 “Investing in nature is not a nice-to-have. It is a necessity.”...

13/10/2026

Reforming Europe’s farm policy: 3.500 amendments and counting
https://www.face.eu/2026/09/reforming-europes-farm-policy-3-500-amendments-and-counting/
The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee (AGRI) resumed discussions on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 2 September. It was the Committee’s first meeting on the issue after a summer marked by severe drought and wildfires across Europe.

The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee (AGRI) resumed discussions on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 2 September.

13/10/2026

🫎 Would you eat moose lips?
🥩 Are you ready for Game Meat Week 2026?
https://www.face.eu/game-meat-week/
From 2–8 November, we're celebrating game meat across Europe – and challenging you to think beyond the usual cuts!
One of the key principles of responsible hunting is to make the most of the animal and waste as little as possible. That means appreciating not only the steaks and roasts, but also the less familiar parts of wild game.
And yes, that can include moose lips! 😋
But did you know that moose lips can also be a nutritious food? Rich in connective tissue and collagen, they provide protein and can be transformed into a tender, gelatin-rich traditional dish through slow cooking.
And there's another important benefit: using less familiar cuts means less food waste and greater respect for the animal.
🌍 Last year's reached an estimated 1.2 million people, with hunters, hunting organisations and food enthusiasts sharing recipes, traditions and stories about local, sustainable wild food.
This year, let's make it even bigger!
📸 Share your favourite game meat recipes, traditional dishes or unusual culinary discoveries using and tag .
So, back to our question: Would you dare to try moose lips? 🫎
Good food. Less waste. Respect for wildlife.

12/10/2026

🌿🦆 How can EU policies help restore small game populations and improve biodiversity across Europe's countryside?
During a dialogue with EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, the FACE President Laurens Hoedemaker raises an important question about the future of Europe's farmland biodiversity.
With the Nature Restoration Law, the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the existing Birds and Habitats Directives, Europe has several major policy instruments that could influence wildlife populations and their habitats.
But how can these policies work together to deliver real improvements on the ground, particularly for declining small game populations?
🎥 Watch the FACE President's question to Commissioner Roswall.
👉 The Commissioner's response will follow in a separate video.
Read more here: https://www.face.eu/2026/10/the-stress-test-of-the-nature-directives-next-steps-for-wildlife-conservation-and-management-in-europe/

12/10/2026

🐾 Animal welfare and animal rights are not the same thing. Why does the distinction matter?
https://youtube.com/shorts/QvsQG9lt1-w
FACE Secretary General David Scallan explains why hunters support high animal welfare standards, but also why some animal rights campaigns raise serious concerns.

FACE Secretary General David Scallan explains why hunters support h...

10/10/2026

🦌🇷🇸 Congratulations to the Hunting Association of Serbia on its 130th Anniversary!
Today, FACE warmly congratulates the Hunting Association of Serbia on 130 years of dedication to hunting, wildlife conservation and the preservation of hunting traditions.
This remarkable milestone reflects generations of hunters who have worked to protect their hunting heritage, promote responsible wildlife management and pass on their knowledge and traditions to future generations.
🤝 We wish our Serbian colleagues continued success, strong unity within the hunting community and many more years of achievements.
Happy 130th Anniversary! 🎉
Lovački Savez Srbije