French Trappers will once more be permitted to capture Skylarks by the use of Traditional Clap Nets

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) congratulates its French ally in FACE (European Federation for Hunting and Conservation), the FNC (Fédération nationale des chasseurs) that has welcomed the French Council of State’s decision in dismissing challenges to the decrees regulating the use of clap nets for catching skylarks in the Southwest.

After years of litigation, this Council of State ruling marks a major milestone for the future of traditional hunting practices. This positive legal development confirms that European law does not prohibit them in principle: they may be maintained provided they comply with the strict conditions set out in the European "Birds" Directive.

The Council of State holds that the contested decrees fully meet European requirements: there is no other satisfactory solution, and the practice is carried out selectively and in small quantities.

This victory, the result of a carefully considered strategy, stems from years of determined and persistent work by the FNC and the hunting federations of Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in collaboration with ministry officials.

At the European level, the skylark remains classified as "Least Concern"—the most favorable status recorded. For the 2025–2026 season, the harvest limit was set at 98,702 skylarks, representing less than 1% of the average annual mortality among the 1,060,000 specimen in Europe estimated by the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature).

Furthermore, this practice is subject to individual permits, mandatory training, quotas, and inspections. Its selectivity has also been documented through two years of field trials conducted under the supervision of prefectural authorities.

The question of alternative solutions was also central to the case. While the traditional nature of a hunt is not sufficient on its own to justify a European derogation, the existence of an alternative must be assessed in light of the practice's actual purpose. Consequently, shooting cannot be considered strictly equivalent, nor can captive bird breeding.

For clap nets trapping is more than just live-capturing of skylarks, or any other bird (example finches) for that matter; it relies on expertise passed down through generations: preparing the trapping sites, handling the nets, using decoys, and observing and understanding bird behavior.

The FNC will continue to counter attacks from anti-hunting groups by relying on the law, science, and facts. Following years of work with the relevant federations, this decision demonstrates that traditional hunting practices—deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of our regions—rightfully belong there.

Willy Schraen, President of the FNC, stated: "In the face of those who wanted traditional hunting practices to disappear forever, we chose patience, hard work, and evidence-based demonstration. Since 2021, following every unfavorable ruling, we have had to refine the regulations, strengthen their justification, conduct new trials, and provide the necessary scientific data. As this collective effort by the FNC, the relevant federations, and ministry officials begins to bear fruit, let us continue to defend our traditional hunts—so vital to our local identities—with pride and determination. I am delighted for the hunters who keep these traditions alive and for the preservation of this cultural heritage!"