He did not participate in the press conference of representatives of farmers and breeders this Thursday morning in Toulouse. But Jean-Luc Fernandez came to support these professionals who had decided to boycott the meeting of the "pastoralism and bears" group at the regional prefecture, a few meters away.
In front of Saint-Etienne cathedral, the president of the federation of Ariège hunters testified to the increasingly tense situation in his department between opponents and supporters of the plantigrade. "14 complaints have already been filed since the beginning of the year," he explains.
These approaches may concern wood fringed houses or destroyed shooting positions, verbal attacks, but not only. "Hunters in Ariège receive death threats," says Jean-Luc Fernandez, who has observed an increase in these acts, particularly on social networks, since a bear was found shot dead in Ustou on June 9.
Hunting, "an asset of the Revolution"
If he "condemns this act", the hunting manager also indicates that "the hunt was closed" and that "no hunter was present on the site that day". "Hunting is an asset of the Revolution," he continues.
Saturday, a "great Pyrenean day for freedom" is planned at the pond of Lers at the initiative of Ariège Ruralité, grouping of several collectives including the departmental hunting federation. Meanwhile, bear-friendly activists will regroup in Toulouse. Appeasement will wait.
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