The Ministry of Agriculture in the northernmost German state of Schleswig-Holstein has expanded and extended the hunting season for some goose species. The measure is intended to tackle the increasing damage to agricultural crops caused by migrating geese.
Geese such as gray geese, Canada geese and Egyptian geese are causing increasing damage to fields and grasslands. According to agricultural organizations, problems have increased, especially along the northern German west coast on various German Wadden Islands.
Greylag geese, Canada geese and Egyptian geese may now be hunted from July 16 to January 31. The extended hunting times do not apply at all to the strictly protected barnacle geese; they can be hunted from October to the end of February.
The barnacle goose is a protected species in the Birds Directive of the EU. Therefore, it should only be killed in exceptional cases, if it can be proven that this will prevent significant agricultural damage and if there are no other options.
The hunting rules for badgers are also being adjusted in Schleswig-Holstein. These animals can now be hunted all year round at specific locations such as dikes and roadsides. Their digging endangers water safety.
The CDU Land Minister of Agriculture decided on this expansion without the consent of his Greens colleague for the Environment, and without the consent of parliament in Kiel. This is not necessary according to the administrative division of tasks.
Nature organizations have already announced legal processes against the decision. They have raised concerns about the potential impact on goose populations and the wider ecological effects. Farmers' organizations have welcomed the decision. Agriculture Minister Schwarz assured that the situation will be closely monitored and the rules will be adjusted where necessary.